Latest news with #FrankFuredi
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
England's oldest Viagra user on NHS is 102, figures reveal as thousands of over 80s using performance-boosting pill
Prescriptions for the sex drug are up on the year before HARD DATA England's oldest Viagra user on NHS is 102, figures reveal as thousands of over 80s using performance-boosting pill Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAN aged 102 is the oldest in England to be given Viagra on the NHS figures reveal as thousands of older people use the pill. A record 250,000 prescriptions for the performance-enhancing "blue pill" were given to over-80s in the last year, including the sprightly centenarian. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Figures revealed a man, aged 102, was prescribed Viagra by the NHS Credit: Getty According to The Mirror's analysis of 106 clinical commissioning groups across England, a whopping 4.71 million prescriptions were issued by the NHS last year. Prescriptions for drugs such as Viagra and Cialis were up 100,000 on the year before. And that could be just the tip of the iceberg with many opting to buy the drug privately. The NHS in England alone spent more than £20million helping men dealing with erectile dysfunction. Figures also revealed that those in their 60s were given the highest number of Viagra pills. The NHS said erection problems are 'very common' in men over 40 and become more likely with age and illness. It comes as older people are increasingly using dating sites and hook-up apps looking for sex. Perhaps the most famous elderly Viagra user was Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy. Known for throwing wild and extravagant parties at his luxury mansion, the magnate's hearing loss has often been blamed on taking the pills. The most common side effects are headaches, feeling sick, indigestion and dizziness but many people have no side effects at all or only mild ones. Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, was first developed in the 1990s to treat hypertension and angina. But during clinical trials, the side-effect of increased erections was discovered and it was approved for medical use in 1998. The NHS warns that a recent heart attack or stroke could make taking the pill more dangerous. But it advises that most men aged 18 and over can take sildenafil safely. Inside UK's fake Viagra epidemic…agonising three-day effects, 50p hits and deadly drugs, drywall & ink used as 'fillers' Frank Furedi, professor of sociology at the University of Kent, has previously said that elderly men are fast becoming "generation Viagra". He said: "Contemporary culture sends out the signal that sex is for life. "A lot of elderly man feel they must have a full-on sex life by any means necessary." The Sun recently reported how research revealed the sex drug has surprising health benefits and could help up to 3 million ageing Brits. Studies suggested it could potentially prevent back pain and fractures in old age and even reduce the risk of dementia. It was also revealed last month that men from Yorkshire need the most help in rising to the occassion, according to new figures. NHS stats show men in the North used the little blue pills much more often than in the South last year.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
England's oldest Viagra user on NHS is 102, figures reveal as thousands of over 80s using performance-boosting pill
A MAN aged 102 is the oldest in England to be given Viagra on the NHS figures reveal as thousands of older people use the pill. A record 250,000 prescriptions for the performance-enhancing "blue pill" were given to over-80s in the last year, including the sprightly centenarian. 1 Figures revealed a man, aged 102, was prescribed Viagra by the NHS Credit: Getty According to Prescriptions for drugs such as and Cialis were up 100,000 on the year before. And that could be just the tip of the iceberg with many opting to buy the drug privately. The NHS in England alone spent more than £20million helping men dealing with erectile dysfunction. Read more Health news Figures also revealed that those in their 60s were given the highest number of Viagra pills. The NHS said erection problems are 'very common' in men over 40 and become more likely with age and illness. It comes as older people are increasingly using dating sites and hook-up apps looking for sex. Perhaps the most famous elderly Viagra user was Hugh Hefner, the founder of Playboy. Most read in Health Known for throwing wild and extravagant parties at his luxury mansion, the magnate's hearing loss has often been blamed on taking the pills. The most common side effects are headaches, feeling sick, indigestion and dizziness but many people have no side effects at all or only mild ones. Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, was first developed in the 1990s to treat hypertension and angina. But during clinical trials, the side-effect of increased erections was discovered and it was approved for medical use in 1998. The NHS warns that a recent heart attack or stroke could make taking the pill more dangerous. But it advises that most men aged 18 and over can take sildenafil safely. Inside UK's fake Viagra epidemic…agonising three-day effects, 50p hits and deadly drugs, drywall & ink used as 'fillers' Frank Furedi, professor of sociology at the University of Kent, has previously said that elderly men are fast becoming "generation Viagra". He said: " Contemporary culture sends out the signal that is for life. " A lot of elderly man feel they must have a full-on sex life by any means necessary. " Studies suggested it could potentially prevent back pain and fractures in old age and even reduce the risk of dementia. It was also revealed last month that men from Yorkshire need the most help in rising to the occassion, according to new figures. NHS stats show men in the North used the little blue pills much more often than in the South last year.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Man, 102, becomes oldest in Britain to be given Viagra on the NHS
The spirited centenarian popped up in figures showing a record 250,000 prescriptions for the drug given to over-80s. But they may just be the tip of the iceberg, as other ageing lotharios could have bought the performance-boosting pill privately A man of 102 is the oldest in Britain to be given Viagra on the NHS. The spirited centenarian popped up in figures showing a record 250,000 prescriptions for the drug given to over-80s. But they may just be the tip of the iceberg, as other ageing lotharios could have bought the performance-boosting pill privately. Our analysis of data from 106 clinical commissioning groups across England showed the NHS issued 4.71 million prescriptions last year to give men a helping hand in the bedroom – at a cost of £16.9million. Those in their 60s were given the highest number of the acclaimed 'blue pill," which tackles erectile dysfunction. The analysis comes as dating sites and hook-up apps increasingly cater to older people looking for sex. The most famous elderly Viagra-popper was Hugh Hefner, who founded the Playboy empire and was famed for the wild parties with his Playboy Playmates at his luxury mansions. He died in 2017 aged 91. His hearing loss was blamed on the pills – while other side effects can include colour blindness and dizziness. The active ingredient in Viagra, sildenafil, was first developed in the 1990s to treat high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs. But it was also found to stop the body from breaking down a molecule responsible for boosting blood flow in other parts of the body – leading to arousal lasting up to two hours. Sildenafil is also used in Hezkue, a world-first oral spray for erectile problems that has just been launched in the UK and costs £60. The NHS website advises that most men aged 18 and over can safely take sildenafil – but warns that a recent heart attack or stroke could increase the danger of side effects. Frank Furedi, professor of sociology at the University of Kent, previously said of older Viagra users: 'Contemporary culture sends out the signal that sex is for life. A lot of elderly man feel they must have a full-on sex life by any means necessary. They are fast becoming 'generation Viagra'.'
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Swathe of harassment and fraud in EU laid bare
A damning report into misbehaving Eurocrats has revealed a swathe of sexual and psychological harassment, religious abuse and fraud within the European Union's top institution. The internal report, obtained by The Telegraph, highlights almost 100 investigations into European Commission officials for a wide range of misdemeanours, many of which were punished with a mere slap on the wrist. There were probes into a money-laundering scheme, an official stealing cash from colleagues and dozens of cases of sexual and psychological harassment. The report, which is usually hidden from the public by Eurocrats, was only released as part of a Freedom of Information request. Frank Furedi, of the MCC Brussels think tank, which helped unearth the documents, said: 'The numerous cases of disciplinary proceedings serve as testimony to the poor standard of behaviour inside the institutions of the EU. 'Yet we know from anecdotal evidence that far too many examples of inappropriate behaviour do not become targets of disciplinary proceedings.' He added: 'The real problem is the lack of decisive and ethical leadership from those in charge of EU units.' The Investigatory and Disciplinary Office of the Commission (Idoc) investigated 88 new cases last year, resulting in only one dismissal. Allegations of either sexual or psychological harassment featured in 21 of the investigations. In one case, an official was penalised with a €2,000-a-month deduction from their overall pay package for 18 months after they were found to have 'adopted seriously inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment'. The unusually high penalty was justified because 'the misconduct was recurrent and that it seriously disrupted the working environment'. The official in question had attempted to justify their behaviour as a result of a 'medical condition', but this excuse was thrown out by investigators. Another anonymous official working at an overseas EU delegation was given a mere warning after being accused of 'inappropriate behaviour towards colleagues, including investigating about colleagues' lives and whereabouts, threatening them to obtain private information about them, questioning their religious choices and commenting on their looks'. The perpetrator was let off without any serious punishment because they owned up to their actions, apologised and improved behaviour at work, the report said. In another case highlighted by Idoc's report, a senior member of staff was reprimanded for having 'intimate relationships' with two juniors under his command. The head of unit – a middle manager role in the Commission – failed to report the relationships as a 'conflict of interest' even after he was alerted to the misdemeanours. The report reveals how officials stole from both their colleagues and the EU taxpayers who fund the Commission. One official was demoted a grade – which could result in the docking of thousands of euros in wages – for 'having stolen cash from colleagues'. A contractor was reprimanded for transporting their family in a EU-owned 'service vehicle', broke public parking rules and 'enabled, through this negligent behaviour, the theft of the said vehicle'. A retired official had their pension reduced to the minimum amount for a period of 10 years because they were found guilty of being involved in 'a money-laundering scheme involving mainly a company which benefited from EU funds and its owners'. As well as the more serious offences, there were slaps on the wrists handed out for more petty behaviour. One official, who had 20 years service, got away with a warning after they 'deliberately deleted … a folder that was necessary to organise the daily work of the unit' from a shared drive. Five officials were ticked off for leaking 'non-public information', 12 'breaches of loyalty' and two cases of inappropriate use of social media. In one case, an official was demoted by one grade for being found guilty of a crime by a court in an EU member state. They had also published 'articles' in an online newspaper relating to Brussels without prior 'authorisation'. As part of Idoc's work last year, it launched an outreach campaign titled 'Say no to temptations, they might have disciplinary consequences!'. It featured seven training sessions available to EU officials, which featured 'case studies based on anonymised Idoc cases … given to raise awareness on what is appropriate or forbidden to pursue as EU staff members'. HR personnel also gave 'tailor-made presentations' to officials being handed high-ranking jobs, such as head of units or heads of overseas delegations. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
EU's culture of harassment and fraud laid bare
A damning report into misbehaving Eurocrats has revealed a swathe of sexual and psychological harassment, religious abuse and fraud within the European Union's top institution. The internal report, obtained by The Telegraph, highlights almost 100 investigations into European Commission officials for a wide range of misdemeanours, many of which were punished with a mere slap on the wrist. There were probes into a money-laundering scheme, an official stealing cash from colleagues and dozens of cases of sexual and psychological harassment. The report, which is usually hidden from the public by Eurocrats, was only released as part of a Freedom of Information request. Frank Furedi, of the MCC Brussels think tank, which helped unearth the documents, said: 'The numerous cases of disciplinary proceedings serve as testimony to the poor standard of behaviour inside the institutions of the EU. 'Yet we know from anecdotal evidence that far too many examples of inappropriate behaviour do not become targets of disciplinary proceedings.' He added: 'The real problem is the lack of decisive and ethical leadership from those in charge of EU units.' The Investigatory and Disciplinary Office of the Commission (Idoc) investigated 88 new cases last year, resulting in only one dismissal. Allegations of either sexual or psychological harassment featured in 21 of the investigations. In one case, an official was penalised with a €2,000-a-month deduction from their overall pay package for 18 months after they were found to have 'adopted seriously inappropriate behaviour and sexual harassment'. The unusually high penalty was justified because 'the misconduct was recurrent and that it seriously disrupted the working environment'. The official in question had attempted to justify their behaviour as a result of a 'medical condition', but this excuse was thrown out by investigators. Another anonymous official working at an overseas EU delegation was given a mere warning after being accused of 'inappropriate behaviour towards colleagues, including investigating about colleagues' lives and whereabouts, threatening them to obtain private information about them, questioning their religious choices and commenting on their looks'. The perpetrator was let off without any serious punishment because they owned up to their actions, apologised and improved behaviour at work, the report said. In another case highlighted by Idoc's report, a senior member of staff was reprimanded for having 'intimate relationships' with two juniors under his command. The head of unit – a middle manager role in the Commission – failed to report the relationships as a 'conflict of interest' even after he was alerted to the misdemeanours. The report reveals how officials stole from both their colleagues and the EU taxpayers who fund the Commission. One official was demoted a grade – which could result in the docking of thousands of euros in wages – for 'having stolen cash from colleagues'. A contractor was reprimanded for transporting their family in a EU-owned 'service vehicle', broke public parking rules and 'enabled, through this negligent behaviour, the theft of the said vehicle'. A retired official had their pension reduced to the minimum amount for a period of 10 years because they were found guilty of being involved in 'a money-laundering scheme involving mainly a company which benefited from EU funds and its owners'. As well as the more serious offences, there were slaps on the wrists handed out for more petty behaviour. One official, who had 20 years service, got away with a warning after they 'deliberately deleted … a folder that was necessary to organise the daily work of the unit' from a shared drive. Five officials were ticked off for leaking 'non-public information', 12 'breaches of loyalty' and two cases of inappropriate use of social media. In one case, an official was demoted by one grade for being found guilty of a crime by a court in an EU member state. They had also published 'articles' in an online newspaper relating to Brussels without prior 'authorisation'. As part of Idoc's work last year, it launched an outreach campaign titled 'Say no to temptations, they might have disciplinary consequences!'. It featured seven training sessions available to EU officials, which featured 'case studies based on anonymised Idoc cases … given to raise awareness on what is appropriate or forbidden to pursue as EU staff members'.
