Response to article about illegal erection pills from Fellos' point of view

Cyril Rosman and Ellen van Gaalen wrote an article in the Algemeen Dagblad on Saturday, June 22, about the rise of the illegal erection pill, available via this link.

The article underlines the worrying increase in the use of illegal erection pills, such as Kamagra, and the ease with which they are obtained. This trend is mainly fueled by shame and the discomfort that men experience when discussing erection problems with their doctor. This leads many to resort to risky, uncontrolled means. Because these drugs have not been approved, urologists warn of the serious (health) risks associated with them. Risks that can easily be avoided by opting for legal medications and reliable treatments under the guidance of a doctor.

This is a substantial problem. Out research shows that at least 60% of the erection pills consumed in the Netherlands (Sildenafil) was obtained illegally.¹ The extent of illegal medication is endorsed by the research by Koenraadt et al. (2018), showing that an estimated 3.3% of the Dutch population has purchased illegal medicines at least once.² Sexual enhancers, including erection pills, are a significant part of this.

Out research It also appears that only 1 in 10 men with erection problems seeks professional help for this.³ With 120,000 users of erectile drugs legally dispensed via the Dutch pharmacy, the group experiencing these complaints consists of possibly 1.2 million men in the Netherlands.⁴ The group that may resort to illegal solutions in the absence of good alternatives is therefore even larger than the group that is already doing this. These figures underline the need for accessible, stigma-free and legal treatment options.

One of the solutions proposed by the Institute for Responsible Drug Use is to make legal erection pills available without a doctor's prescription. Another suitable solution - in our view - is to make reliable care accessible digitally. Since April 2023, thanks to new regulations, possible to prescribe medicines via the internet, without the doctor having met the patient physically before.⁵ In most cases, an online consultation is suitable for a doctor to assess erection problems. We see lowering the GP threshold as a solution to the ease with which illegal medication is currently obtained.

For this reason, we started Fellos this year. We believe that everyone has the right to quality care and legal medicines, especially when shame can be an avoidant. We make this care accessible via a safe and discreet online environment, where patients can consult with independent doctors registered in the Netherlands. If doctors decide to prescribe, it is possible for patients to order the medication from a Dutch pharmacy via our platform, which guarantees safety and reliability.

About Fellos

Fellos is a digital clinic for men focused on care that people avoid, because of the shame or discomfort of going to the doctor. As a result, quality care is avoided. Fellos is on a mission to make this care both negotiable and accessible to everyone in a high-quality way, under the guidance of doctors and with reliable medication supplied by a Dutch pharmacy.

For more information:

Sibren Tolsma — Co-founder Fellos
Sibren [at] fellos.nl
www.fellos.nl