The patent for the “little blue pill”, Viagra, held by Pfizer isn’t set to expire until 2020. The Israeli generic drug company Teva, following a patent dispute, was granted the right to release a generic version of the drug beginning today. In response Pfizer will introduce its’ own generic version to complete with Teva. This will result in the price of the first erectile dysfunction drug on the market to drop significantly.
The patent for Cialis, another popular erectile dysfunction medication, is also set to expire in 2020. Because of a legal agreement reached related to its’ patent, a generic version of this best seller for Eli Lilly could hit the market in September 2018. This will put an end to one of the greatest prescription challenges my patients’ have faced, the outrageous cost of these medications. The cash price for the brand name prescription can be over $50 per pill!