Viagra generics hit the market in Europe

Home/Pharma News | Posted 28/06/2013 post-comment0 Post your comment

The patent on Pfizer’s blockbuster erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil) expired on 21 June 2013 in the UK, along with several other European countries.

Viagra V13F28

Viagra is the world leader in erectile dysfunction. Worldwide sales in 2011 were reported to be US$2 billion.

The advent of generics for the drug is expected to bring about huge savings for healthcare systems across Europe. In the UK, in 2012 alone, 2.3 million prescriptions were written for the drug, costing the National Health Service GBP 40 million. Generics are typically 20–90% less expensive than the brand-name originator drug.

Generics giants Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (Teva) and Actavis already announced on 24 June 2013 the launch of their generic versions of sildenafil. Actavis has launched its generic sildenafil in Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and UK. Actavis has also already launched the product in the patent-free markets of Bulgaria, Iceland and Malta. Teva has launched its generic version in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, The Netherlands and UK. Teva has already launched the product in Spain, Canada and certain other countries.

The US patent for Viagra does not run out until 2020 and although Actavis, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Apotex, Mylan and Teva have all applied to FDA to market generics sildenafil, no generics have yet been allowed on the market in the US. Teva has, however, finally managed to launch a generic version in Canada several months ago following a positive ruling after five years of legal proceedings.

Permission granted to reproduce for personal and non-commercial use only. All other reproduction, copy or reprinting of all or part of any ‘Content’ found on this website is strictly prohibited without the prior consent of the publisher. Contact the publisher to obtain permission before redistributing.

Copyright – Unless otherwise stated all contents of this website are © 2013 Pro Pharma Communications International. All Rights Reserved.

Source: Actavis, EGA, Pfizer, Teva

comment icon Comments (0)
Post your comment
Most viewed articles
About GaBI
Home/About GaBI Posted 06/08/2009
EU guidelines for biosimilars
EMA logo 1 V13C15
Home/Guidelines Posted 08/10/2010