Having both brand-name and generic entries in the erectile dysfunction drug market, Pfizer continues to enjoy a dominant market share. Its U.S. patent on brand-name Viagra won’t expire until April 2020. 

Pfizer, the giant drugmaker that kicked off a revolution in the treatment of erectile dysfunction with its introduction of Viagra in 1998, still manages to hold onto a disproportionate share of the ED drug market.

To gird itself for the onslaught of Generic competition, which it facilitated through a licensing agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer in late 2017 introduced its own generic version of the little blue pill. That generic contender, sold as sildenafil citrate, is being marketed by Greenstone LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pfizer.

US Patent Still Valid

Because its U.S. patent on Viagra will not expire until April 2020, Pfizer collects a handsome royalty fee from Teva for the latter’s right to produce and market a generic formulation of Viagra.

And the little blue pill itself remains very popular with those who prefer to stick with a brand name they’ve come to rely upon.

According to an article posted at CNBC.com, GoodRx reported that during the two-month period from December 1, 2018, through January 31, 2019, 65 percent of all ED drug prescriptions filled were for Viagra or its generic equivalent.

Viagra’s Back Story

More than two decades after its debut, Viagra remains a potent force in the ED drug marketplace. Ironically, sildenafil citrate, its active ingredient, was originally researched by Pfizer as a possible treatment for angina and hard-to-control high blood pressure.

While sildenafil citrate failed to impress as a treatment for angina, it did produce a somewhat startling side effect among male participants in an early clinical study. These men, some of them already diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, suddenly found that it was once again easy to get and keep an erection.

In short order, Pfizer scrapped its pursuit of sildenafil as an angina treatment and launched an investigation into its potential as a treatment for ED. The rest is history.

Viagra Price Recently Raised

So confident is Pfizer in the popularity of Viagra with consumers that it announced a price hike on the drug in mid-2018. Responding to a plea from President Trump to at least delay the price hike, Pfizer agreed and held off until early 2019 before raising its price for Viagra.

By keeping its hand in the generic ED drug market, both through its own entry (by way of Greenstone LLC) and through its licensing agreement with Teva, Pfizer continues to dominate the ED drug market.

As of early 2019, the only generic formulations of Viagra available were formulations of sildenafil citrate from Teva and Greenstone LLC. Once Pfizer’s U.S. patent on the drug expires in April 2020, additional generic competition can be anticipated. And with that, prices for both brand-name Viagra and its generic equivalents are likely to trend downward. But for now, Pfizer rules the roost when it comes to ED drugs — both brand-name and generic.

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If the convenience of ordering Viagra or its generic equivalent online appeals to you, longtime online facilitator eDrugstore can help you to save both time and money. In addition to Viagra and sildenafil citrate, eDrugstore stocks a full range of other brand-name ED medications, as well as the generic equivalents of Cialis and Levitra.

If you don’t yet have a doctor’s prescription for the ED drug of your choice, eDrugstore can set up a complimentary online consultation with a licensed U.S. physician who can authorize a prescription if appropriate. To learn more, visit eDrugstore’s Erectile Dysfunction page.