From the CBC:
There could soon be less spring in the step of those at National Defence as the department considers halting the decade-old practice of distributing free Viagra to the troops.
Also under consideration is the cancellation of taxpayer-funded sex-reassignment surgery for members of the military.
[….]
Within government, officials have expressed concern for years about the rising cost of the wildly popular Viagra program, which saw members limited to six of the little blue pills a month — at a cost of between $15 and $22 per pill.
The drug is used to treat erectile dysfunction in men.
When introduced in 2000, the government justified supplying the prescription wonder drug to troops as a health policy meant to ensure all soldiers were mentally fit and ready for the battlefield.
I can certainly see the reason for our military – and I am trying to empathise here – wanting to maintain a steady flow of free Viagra.
After all, a bunch of wimps with erectile dysfunction could hardly sally forth into battle crying this with much conviction, could they?
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there’s nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour’d rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o’erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled rock
O’erhang and jutty his confounded base,