By Heidi Couch
National Nine News
A group of NSW oyster farmers are attempting to chemically boost the aphrodisiac qualities of their oysters — by feeding them Viagra.
The farmers have patented the process and are now preparing to export to the Asian market, which they estimate could be worth $220 million dollars.
But their use of the Viagra trademark in their marketing has drawn the ire of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, setting up a David and Goliath-style showdown.
Marketing executive George May came up with the idea of feeding Viagra to oysters after he underwent surgery for prostate cancer.
A common side effect of prostate cancer surgery is impotence. Following the operation, his doctor prescribed a low dose of Viagra to assist with his recovery.
The 59-year-old from Brisbane Waters initially crushed the tablets and sprinkled them on his oysters, hoping the combination would somehow fast track his return to normality.
An idea was born, and Mr May approached struggling oyster farmers Royden Whitten and Barry Lambert to discuss whether it was possible to feed Viagra to growing oysters.
"The boys were there and I said to them, 'Why don't we feed oysters viagra and make an ultimate aphrodisiac?'" Mr May said.
Oysters are filter feeders, so they grow by absorbing nutrients in the water. The farmers harvest the oysters and transfer them into tanks of Viagra-infused water.
Mr May claims tests have proven the oysters show trace elements of sildenafil citrate — the active ingredient in Viagra.
The farmers have registered the name "ViagraOysters", but that has attracted unwanted attention from the manufacturer of Viagra, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.
Law firm Baker & McKenzie, acting on behalf of Pfizer, has threatened legal action if the farmers don't deregister the business name.
The threat of a law suit has only strengthened the farmers' resolve and they're now preparing to take on one of the world's most powerful pharmaceutical companies in the courts.
While the research and development of their product is still in its early stages, the NSW food authority says it's unlikely Viagra Oysters will be approved for sale in Australia.
Viagra is a prescription drug and therefore oysters containing traces of the drug would not be permitted for general sale.
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