Lawmaker: Men Who Want Viagra Should Have To Watch Graphic 'Side-Effects' Video
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Want a prescription for Viagra? You may have to sit down and watch a horrific video about the drug's possible side effects.
A battle over that idea is brewing in the Illinois state capital. It's linked to a controversial anti-abortion bill, CBS 2's Mike Parker reports.
If an Illinois lawmaker gets her way, men seeking Viagra prescriptions for erectile dysfunction, will be required to watch a graphic video first.
"They need to see a visual depiction of the treatment for the most common side effect to Viagra use, which is priapism, and it's not a pretty procedure to watch," state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, a Chicago Democrat, says.
Cassidy says she came up with the idea because of another Springfield proposal that would require physicians, before any abortion, to offer to perform an ultrasound examination and allow the patient to view it if she chooses.
That measure came from another Chicago Democrat, State Rep. Joseph Lyons.
"There might be a little fraction of women who might want to see that ultrasound, who might change their minds. If it saves one life in Illinois, I'm for it," he says.
Cassidy counters: "It is inappropriate to insert the legislature into a medical decision in this way. It just isn't right."
Asked if her proposal on Viagra is equally wrong, Cassidy replied, "If we are going to do this, we need to do it in a way that is applied equally."
Lyons says Cassidy is merely coming up with "an unfriendly amendment to cause confusion and a diversion."
Cassidy says she is tired of politicians deciding that "women are incapable of making their own decisions."
