Pfizer’s “little blue pill” has patents in more than one country. Because it gained approval for use in different countries at different times, those patents expire at different times, too.
In Australia, Pfizer’s patent recently expired. That could mean strong competition from other manufacturers, and a buyer’s market across the board. How are pharmaceutical companies reacting to this new open market for erection health medication? Read on to find out.
The reason behind the price decrease is the patent expiration. There’s no competition for any drug while the patent stays intact. So until other medications reach the point where their patents are in jeopardy, the cost should remain the same.
How Viagra Came to Be
The cost of erection health medications, at least the ones that are proven to work, has never been cheap. PDE5 inhibitors, which is the class of drugs that Viagra and other similar medications fall into, were developed through many years of scrupulous research, clinical trials, and finally emerging onto the American market in the 1990s.
In fact, the initial trials for Viagra’s main ingredient, which is Sildenafil, wasn’t for erection problems at all. Sildenafil was originally intended as a medication for certain heart conditions.
That makes sense, as the drug reacts in the body by helping dilate blood vessels, which helps more blood flow freely through the body.
During those early trials, men who were participating in the research noticed a very surprising, and very happy, side-effect. Those who had experienced erection problems in the past saw an improvement. Because it was spread throughout the participants, not confined to one or two men, researchers knew they were onto something.
What’s Behind the High Cost of Erection Medications
When Viagra came available in America, the next step was gaining approval around the world. While erection problems had historically been viewed as bothersome, but not really a health condition that needed serious attention, the men who suffered from it knew there was more to it than that.
The ability to achieve and maintain an erection is important for self-esteem, and it’s also important for the man’s relationship with his partner. The trickle-down effect is widespread, too. Because it’s an emotionally-charged subject, many men avoid talking about it with anyone, including their doctor.
So with this new found potential use for Sildenafil, researchers started new work to determine whether the men in their study were indicative of most men. And if so, how to bring this “miracle” drug to the public.
The expense of supporting such extensive medical research is part of the reason why erection health medications cost as much as they do. Medications aren’t approved as safe for the public by a committee vote only.
There are developmental stages in the creation of any drug, which can take years to complete. And then there are clinical trials, which require even more time. The FDA requires stringent testing and reliable proof that’s backed by authentic evidence before it will place its stamp of approval on any medication, including those for erection health.
After a drug is approved, the battle still isn’t won for good. There are many medications that are removed from the market after FDA approval. This happens when widespread use reveals problems that research didn’t find. Fortunately, the use of Viagra has proven to be as safe for most men as it was initially believed.
How the Expired Patent is Affecting the Cost of Viagra in Australia
The US patent for Viagra expired a few years ago. For other erection health medications, there are still years left before that happens. The world watched and waited to see whether the cost of Viagra would plummet, or if competitors would emerge to sweep through the market and create a pricing war.
The cost did decrease a bit, but the predicted game-changing avalanche did not. The name-brand Viagra is still one of the most widely used erection health medications available in the U.S. Now that Australia’s patent has expired, the world is watching yet again to see what happens.
When the Australian patent expired in May of 2014, Viagra made the medication available to certain pharmacies at a reduced cost, explains Bettina Ardnt in her Sydney Morning Herald article, “Viagra Price Drop to Boost Sales.”
Ardnt says the discount brand known as Chemist Warehouse was the first to jump on board. Where Viagra had cost Australian men between $65 and $85 per 4-tablet, 100 milligram packet before, the new arrangement dropped the price to $15 for 4 tablets.
That stirred up a bit of a price war, when other pharmacies got into the game, some offering a generic Viagra for $14 per 4-tablet packet. As it stands, Australian men now have widespread access to a less expensive generic Sildenafil.
Why Good Erection Health is So Important
When Viagra was introduced years ago, a new wave started to happen. Where men had once been largely shy about discussing erection problems, many of them decided to take that step, talk with their doctors, and find out whether Viagra could help.
Celebrity men (and even politicians) were on TV discussing their erection health with the world. So the privacy of a doctor’s office lost at least some of its intimidation and fear factor.
That’s good news for men everywhere. When erection problems aren’t disclosed to a doctor, other health problems might go unnoticed until much later, when they have caused more damage and are more difficult to control.
Erection problems are known as a potential early warning sign of heart disease. So staying tight lipped about it has done many men a disservice. Blood vessel blockages can impair the flow of blood to the penis, and diabetes can damage nerves and blood vessels.
So Viagra might even be responsible for more men getting an earlier diagnosis than they would if no erection medication was available to help. And to think, it all started with a clinical trial that produced some surprising results.
Competition is rarely a bad thing. This is true for medication as well as anything else. Competitors give consumers more choices, and they also help make medication more affordable. New drugs, such as Cialis and Levitra, came onto the market after Viagra, and each has its own patent that will expire at some point. Then the competition cycle will begin anew.
For Australian men, the erection health medication market is changing. Generics are becoming more commonplace, and the cost is being driven down. As the Viagra patents around the world follow the same inevitable path of expiration, it will be interesting to see how each country reacts. Will they be more like the US, remaining faithful to the brand, or will generics become a large market? Only time will tell.
eDrugstore.com sells the name brand Viagra, which men have relied on for years to improve erection health. We offer you the privacy and convenience of online shopping, and your discreetly-packed shipment arrives right at your door. If you’re ready to try something that works, see what eDrugstore.com has to offer.
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