Levitra

The ad sported the line: "Get back to mischief." Pfizer pulled the ad in November 2004 after it drew complaints from federal regulators.

Doctors said such ads send a confusing message to patients who might really benefit from the drug, such as an elderly man who has had prostate surgery.

Critics say such TV ads are not reflective of the men in their 50s, 60s and 70s who are asking for pills to treat erectile dysfunction.

Still, the ads for Viagra apparently worked, leaving a lasting impression on some people.

"We were dark for a year on Viagra and we still get complaints about our ads," said Karen Katen, Pfizer's vice chairman and president of Pfizer Human Health.

"It is an interesting phenomenon." Pfizer is being quiet about the specifics of the new ads, but Katen said the company is mindful of the public's concerns about pharmaceutical marketing on TV.

When the ads return, Katen said, they will adhere to a voluntary code that drugmakers instituted last year that called for companies to make sure their ads include more information about potential safety risks.

Last year Pfizer pledged that it would promote Viagra only in TV programs with predominantly adult audiences and would avoid high-profile programs such as the Super Bowl.

At that time the makers of Read more...