The Department of Defense spent $504,816 on Viagra last year

The Department of Defense classifies erectile dysfunction drugs under "Troop Support," and according to the Washington Free Beacon, the Pentagon spent more than half a million taxpayer dollars on Viagra last year.

Members of the military have had such drugs covered by TRICARE, the military's health insurance system, since 1998. In the meantime, the Beacon reports, the cost of one Viagra pill has risen from $10 to $25.

According to government contracts analyzed by the Beacon, the DoD spent $18,045 on other erectile dysfunction meds, like Levitra and Cialis. In addition, TRICARE funds went toward covering the cost of "external vacuum appliances," "penile implants and testicular prostheses," and hormone injections to treat ED.

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