How can you get Viagra without seeing a doctor? Not in Australia: sildenafil, the medicine in Viagra, needs a prescription, so a doctor has to see you first. That doctor can be your GP, and some GPs offer the appointment by phone or video, which is called telehealth (healthdirect).
Do you need a prescription for Viagra in Australia?
Yes. "In Australia, you need a prescription to get ED medicines. This means you must first see a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or a specialist" (healthdirect — Erectile dysfunction medicines). The TGA says the same of sildenafil, which "can only be supplied to Australians with a prescription" (TGA), so no erectile dysfunction medicine is sold over the counter here. The UK has its own rule for one 50 mg sildenafil product, Viagra Connect, sold there by pharmacies after a discussion with the pharmacist (MHRA); it does not apply in Australia, as Viagra vs Viagra Connect explains.
Why see a GP first?
Because the doctor checks that the medicine is safe for you before prescribing it. The doctor "will assess your condition and check if ED medicines are right for you", and healthdirect asks you to "Tell your doctor about all your medicines. This includes any sprays or tablets you use for chest pain": PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil must not be taken with nitrates, the medicines often prescribed for angina (healthdirect — Erectile dysfunction medicines).
Can you see a GP by phone or video?
With some GPs, yes. In healthdirect's words, "some GPs have been offering consultations by phone or video link. This is called telehealth." It adds: "Most GPs will only offer a telehealth consultation if they are your regular doctor (meaning you have seen them in the last 12 months)" (healthdirect — The role of a GP). A telehealth appointment is still an appointment with a doctor, and the prescription rule is the same.
Is it safe to buy Viagra online without a prescription?
No. healthdirect: "Some people buy sildenafil online without a prescription. This isn't a good idea, as you can't be sure whether these pills contain the medicine or are counterfeit" (healthdirect — Sildenafil). Products that are not on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods "are not approved for supply in Australia, have not been reviewed for safety or quality" (TGA). What a fake tablet can look like is covered in how to identify real and fake Viagra pills.
The short answer
In Australia you need a prescription for Viagra, and a prescription comes from a doctor: your GP, in person or, if your GP offers it, by phone or video. The other questions men ask before taking it are answered in our guide to what to know before you take Viagra.
