As the world's largest pharmaceutical company, Korea's drugmakers have made a strong dent in the market, particularly in treating erectile dysfunction, and now the country's top drugmaker is planning to introduce generic versions of its blockbuster erectile dysfunction drug, sildenafil, to the market in the country's major drugstores.
On Thursday, Korea's pharmaceutical industry was quick to embrace generic alternatives to its old-school blockbuster drug Viagra, a drug that has been approved by the FDA for nearly four decades and has a steady presence in the U. S. market, according to experts.
Sildenafil, a drug that is also approved for treating the male impotence in the U. and Korea, is one of the more widely used drugs in the world. Its popularity has prompted many to look beyond traditional erectile dysfunction medications and consider whether it is worth the cost. The drug's market cap in the U. has soared to about $1 billion, making it the largest drug brand in the world.
"This is a market that's going to be crowded," said Lee Jae-kyum, president of Korea-based Korea Meds, which manufactures sildenafil.
"We're going to do the math on what is the market cap, and then go in and see where it's going."
Sildenafil has been approved for use by the FDA for erectile dysfunction, which is why Korea's regulatory agency has made a similar decision in recent years.
"The FDA has a very specific definition of what it is," said Lee, adding that it's the first drug that was approved by the FDA for treating erectile dysfunction. "I don't know how it's approved for this."
With a generic version of sildenafil, Korea's drugstores sell only the drug's active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, which is also the active ingredient in Viagra.
"There's no doubt that sildenafil is the most widely prescribed drug in the world," said Lee, adding that Korea is the first country in the world to get approval for a generic version of the drug. The drug's patent expires in 2013 and the generic version is only available through pharmacies.
It's not yet clear what the regulatory agency will do in the coming months. The drugmaker is also trying to introduce a generic version of the drug, which has already been approved for use by the U. Food and Drug Administration.
"This is very close to the original Viagra patent, which was filed by Bayer in 2003," said Lee. "It will be filed in the summer."
The generic version of sildenafil is sold at a cost of about $7.30 per pill, although there is no way to know how much the price will be lower.
"Our goal is to have a very high price," said Lee, who is also chief executive officer at Korean-based Korea-based Korea Meds.
According to the Korea Health Journal, Korean drugstores are using an average of 3.5 percent per year for their sales to reach $1.50 per pill.
In the United States, sildenafil is used to treat erectile dysfunction, but it's also approved for other conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
While sildenafil is available as a generic, it can also be purchased through various online drugstores. Some of these stores carry the brand name Viagra, while others offer generic sildenafil at low prices.
According to the report, prices in the U. have been steadily rising over the past three years.
"There is no way that we could ever really predict how much of this drug will go down," said Lee.
As the United States continues to face rising costs from the soaring health care costs of medical devices and prescription drugs, the cost of sildenafil has risen, driving the price of the drug down.
"In the United States, you take Viagra at a cost of $2,000 a pill, and you have to take a generic version at a cost of $6,000 a pill," said Lee.
Viagra has been shown to cause some mild side effects. Talk to your health care provider if these do not go away within a few days. If you begin to experience more serious reactions, seek medical attention immediately.
Common side effects reported from Viagra use include:
More severe side effects include:
If you experience any of these side effects, seek medical attention immediately. These are symptoms of a severe adverse reaction to this medication that require immediate treatment.
As with all prescription medications, inform your doctor of any medical conditions you currently manage. Tell them about any and all medications, prescription drugs, and supplements you are taking before starting treatment with Viagra. Viagra can interact with bodily substances, causing potentially serious adverse reactions.
Specifically, you should inform your health care provider of any nitrate medication you are taking. Remember to mention any herbal products you use, especially St. John’s wort.
In addition, let your doctor know if you have recently had heart surgery or experience chest pain during sex. If you experience any changes in your heartbeat or chest pain during sex, contact your health care provider immediately.
OpenSildenafilPossible Side Effects from Viagra
HeadacheCommon Headache: 1-11 Headache Common: 12-20 Common: 21 Common: 25 Common: 41 Common: 55 Common: 78 Tons of Reaction: Some Effects reported from Viagra due to nitratesOther common side effects reported from Viagra use are:
If you experience any of theseHeadache, chest pain, or flushing, contact your health care provider immediately.
Tell your health care provider if you are abehave these or if you have any changes to be aware of. Viagra can interact with certain hormones that can cause potentially serious adverse reactions.
In addition, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Viagra can interact with can lead to serious changes in the male reproductive system including changes that can cause an endometrialosa disorder.
ilusanCommon Side EffectsAs with all prescription medications, inform your doctor if you experience any changes to your health conditions, such as heart failure, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or serious allergic reactions to any kind of medication.
As with all prescription medications, inform your doctor if you are a bevelled area, swelling of the ankles, or any new symptoms occur. This can be a sign of a more severe health condition.
As with all prescription medications, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Viagra can interact with can result in serious changes to the male reproductive system including changes that can cause an endometrialosa disorder.
As with all prescription medications, inform your doctor if you are elderly, taking certain medications, or if you are not sure if you are taking any other condition.
Viagra Connect is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Erectile dysfunction is a common problem that includes difficulty getting or keeping an erection. If you’re affected by erectile dysfunction, there is treatment and support available that can help, including medicines such as Viagra Connect.
If you have a low libido, understanding the cause of this and getting help to increase your libido, may change the way you think and feel about sex. There is support available that may help, including talking to a professional such as a psychologist or counsellor. Your doctor may be able to refer you for counselling, or you can.
Viagra Connect relaxes the blood vessels in the penis to increase blood flow. This means that you can get an erection when you’re sexually aroused. After sexual activity, your erection will go away as it normally would.
If you’ve decided to take Viagra Connect to treat your erection problems you should swallow one whole tablet with some water, about an hour before you want to have sex. Don’t take more than one tablet a day.,
Remember to read the instructions that come with the medicine carefully, or talk to a pharmacist or your GP if you’re not sure how to take Viagra Connect. They’ll be able to give you more information and support.
Viagra Connect isn’t suitable for everyone, including people with some other health conditions such as heart problems. Talk to your GP or a pharmacist about whether Viagra Connect is the best treatment option for you.
It usually takes about one hour for Viagra Connect to start working., Most people take one tablet about an hour before they want to have sex. But everyone is different and for some people, it may take more or less time to get an erection after taking Viagra Connect.
After sex, your erection should go away normally. If it doesn't, contact your GP, a pharmacist, or.
Once you've taken Viagra Connect, it will stay active for up to four hours.
How long does Viagra Connect work? How long Viagra Connect takes to work?There will be a side to explain you after you drink plenty of water, or up to an hour before you want to have sex.
Will Viagra Connect work if there is a sexualdifficulty such as depression or anxiety?
Viagra Connect doesn’t usually cause any problems if you’re treated with anti-anxiety medicines such as Valium, or treated sexual dysfunction treatments such as pleasure products and reasonable medicines such as Valcyte.
However, if you have anxiety about erectile dysfunction (ED), consider talking to your doctor or a pharmacist. There are possible side effects to taking Viagra Connect, and there are more treatments to choose from. Contact your GP.
Viagra Connect isn’t available by GPsbrand.
What are the side effects of Viagra Connect?Support is available for people to talk to a pharmacist or your GP about taking Viagra Connect for help. This can be by talk to a pharmacist or your GP.
If you’re experiencing other symptoms of heart problems, like a fast or slow heartbeat, you should not take Viagra Connect.
A heart-healthy like to check the health effects of. You can take this at any time of the day, or you can take it the next time you want to have sex.
There are a number of things to consider when deciding on a prescription medication for erectile dysfunction (ED). Here are some key points to keep in mind: 1. What is erectile dysfunction? 2. What is the difference between Viagra and Cialis? 3. How should a doctor prescribe ED medications? 4. What is the best way to take ED medications? 5. Can you take Viagra or Cialis more than once a day? 6. Can you take ED medications with food or a low-fat meal? 7. What are the possible side effects of ED medications?ED medicationsare a class of drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction. These medications work by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, which allows blood to flow when sexually stimulated. They are also known as phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. These medications work by allowing more blood to flow into the penis when a man is sexually aroused. However, these medications do not work for everyone. They can cause side effects such as decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, or difficulty achieving an erection. In addition, some men may experience erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives. This is known as male impotence. ED medications are also available over-the-counter (OTC) for men who have difficulty getting an erection. OTC ED medications can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription. However, OTC ED medications are not FDA approved for use in the United States. They are illegal and can cause serious health consequences. You should speak with your doctor if you have any concerns about purchasing ED medication from an illegal or counterfeit drug or medication.
ED medications are not FDA approved for use in the United States. They are FDA approved medications that are taken by mouth. They work by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, which allows blood to flow when sexually stimulated. In addition, some men may experience erectile dysfunction at some point in their lifetimes.
ReferencesShelby, Michael, MD, PhD. Erectile dysfunction. How Viagra works. New York: Facts on Purchase, LLC; 2010. Accessed July 29, 2011.
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.All rights reserved.vBulletIN.org is a for-profit news site that publishes news and analysis about the most frequently written issues of the day.Viatris recommends you buy or sell ED medications from an illegal or counterfeit drug or medication. vBulletIN.org is a for-profit news site that publishes news and analysis about the most frequently written issues of the day. Please visit our or call 1-800-998-8669 for more information.vBulletIN.