Impotence Drugs Cost Struggling GM $17M Annually
April 17, 2006

Viagra, Cialis and other erectile dysfunction drugs are costing General Motors Corp. a hefty sum.

The company spends $17 million annually on such drugs, GM spokeswoman Sharon Baldwin said.

Although that's a small fraction of GM's overall health care costs, which in 2005 were more than $5 billion, company executives often use the example to illustrate what they said are out-of-control health care costs.

The world's largest automaker lost $10.6 billion last year and says skyrocketing health care costs are partly to blame. GM provides health care for 1.1 million employees, retirees and dependents.

Viagra is covered under GM's labor agreement with the United Auto Workers union, as well as benefit plans for salaried workers.

Ford Motor Co. declined to say how much it spends on erectile dysfunction drugs, and a spokesman for DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group could not provide figures.

Source: http://www.ktvu.com/automotive/8768562/detail.html