Why is Viagra and the others so Expensive?

[zackcactive]

Can anyone explain to me (other then the fact of greed) why these pills are so expensive?

When their patents run out, are they going to drop in price? Any ideas on the potential cost once their patents run out?

What do you guys think?

Zack

[bankofgranite]

all i know is there are gonna be alot of generics in the market that will help our wallet..

[zackcactive]

Yeah, that won't be for another couple years though correct?

I don't think generics right now are a safe alternative because who knows where they actually come from!? I thought that these articles were pretty interesting reads about current fake ED pills...

usgovinfo.about.com/od/medicalnews/a/fakeviagra.htm
kwikblog.kwikmed.com/2010/07/16/whats-so-bad-about-fake-viagra

It is just really tough to purchase real viagra for so much $$ when the fakes are so damn cheap. At the end of the day, I find peace in mind when ordering real viagra from legit places..

What do you guys think?

Zack

[TheGreatGatsby]

Well...not all generic pills are fakes. Too bad some of them are, but it all depends where you buy from. If it's a reputable company, you should be ok. Actually, I had to take antidepressants a while ago and my doctor prescribed me generic pills. So they can't be that bad if even doctors prefer them over the brands.

Also, Zack the patents have already run out, that's why generics exist. Because once there is no patent to protect using the active ingredient, it basically turns into a free for all! So the reason for the expensive prices is not the patent. These companies (like, say,) have spent a lot of money on marketing campaigns, advertisement, etc. They have to recoup the money somehow so they bump up the prices of their medication. Companies that produce generics don't have this problem as by the time they start manufacturing their pills, the brand name is already well known, so there is little or no need for advertising. It's like washing powder, you know. A shop's own brand washes your clothes just as well, but it doesn't look so attractive. So it's a lot cheaper...

[bboy80]

Also, Zack the patents have already run out, that's why generics exist.

No Pfizer still have the patent, its only Brazil & India where Pfizer hasn't.

[Jig]

No Pfizer still have the patent, its only Brazil & India where Pfizer hasn't.

well as far as Brazil is concerned, Pfizer (makers of Viagra) is going to sell GENERIC Erectile Disfunction pills..
Pfizer is buying Teuto Brasileiro pharmaceutical, which for $240 million will allow Pfizer access to sell generic drugs .. and an option to acquire the remainder of the company starting in 2014.