The federal government told states this past week that they had to take steps to ensure such drugs did not go to sex offenders. In New Jersey, the Department of Human Services said on Friday that it would begin informing pharmacists to stop dispensing the drugs to the offenders. Gov. George E. Pataki of New York, a Republican, has issued a temporary ban on public financing of all such drugs until state legislators can enact measures to keep them from sex offenders.

Congress is proposing a ban on coverage of impotence drugs for all Medicaid and Medicare recipients. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said such a restriction would save $2 billion over the next decade.

Some doctors disagree with that approach. They say drugs that allow older people or the ill to maintain a sex life encourages them to lead a healthier lifestyle.

"States that have imposed a ban on coverage of erectile dysfunction are effectively lumping thousands of victims of crippling disease in with criminals," said Dr. Richard Atkins, chief executive officer of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition. "Viagra and similar medications are not a 'lifestyle' drug for these people."

Men's Health Network, a nonprofit educational group, agrees, "In the wake of a recent report that sex offenders in Texas have received Viagra and other sex-enhancing drugs in the taxpayer-funded Medicaid program, M.H.N. wants to reinforce the value of this treatment in sustaining healthy families and spousal relationships," Men's Health Network said in a statement