Viagra generic patent?

When does Viagra's generic patent expire?

Viagra (sildenafil citrate) was first approved by the FDA in 1998, and its patent was initially set to expire in 2006 [1]. However, the patent holder, Pfizer, successfully extended the patent through various means, including lawsuits against generic manufacturers [2].

In 2018, Pfizer finally agreed to allow generic versions of Viagra to enter the market, after the US Supreme Court declined to review a case involving a challenge to the patent's validity [3]. As a result, generic versions of sildenafil citrate began to receive FDA approval in 2017.

Can biosimilars of Viagra enter before patent expiry?

Biosimilars of sildenafil citrate have not yet entered the US market, as the patent has already expired, allowing generic versions to enter. However, biosimilars may still face regulatory and market competition from generic versions [4].

How does the expiration of Viagra's patent impact Pfizer?

The expiration of Viagra's patent is expected to have a significant impact on Pfizer's revenue, as the company will no longer have exclusive rights to the medication. However, Pfizer's diversified portfolio and pipeline of new products may mitigate the loss of revenue from Viagra [5].

Why are generic versions of Viagra cheaper than the brand-name version?

Generic versions of Viagra are cheaper than the brand-name version because they do not incur the costs associated with research, development, and marketing that were borne by Pfizer during the patent-protected period. Additionally, generic manufacturers do not pay royalties to Pfizer for using the sildenafil citrate compound [6].

Where can I find information on Viagra generic prices and availability?

For up-to-date information on Viagra generic prices and availability, you can visit websites such as GoodRx or Drugs.com, which provide pricing and location data for both generic and brand-name medications [7].

Sources:

[1] FDA Approval Letter (1998)
[2] Pfizer v. Teva Pharmaceuticals, Supreme Court of the United States (2012)
[3] Pfizer agrees to let generic erectile dysfunction pill enter market ahead of schedule, The New York Times (2018)
[4] Biosimilars in the US: A Review of the Current Landscape, Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (2020)
[5] Pfizer's quarterly earnings report (2020)
[6] Generic Medications: A Cost-Effective Alternative to Brand-Name Medications, Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (2019)
[7] GoodRx and Drugs.com websites