Watson files for its own version of Generic Viagra

Watson Pharmaceuticals, the fourth-largest maker of generic drugs in the world, announced recently that it had filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its own generic version of Viagra in tablets of 25-, 50- and 100-mg strengths.

Breaking into the erectile dysfunction market won't come easy for Watson. Pfizer, the maker of the original little blue pill, has intervened by filing a lawsuit with the U.S. District Courtroom for the Southern District of New York. If successful, Pfizer's lawsuit will hinder Watson from selling the pill as an impotence treatment until Pfizer's patent expires in October 2019. The patent in question governs the marketing of certain chemicals in Viagra as treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Even if the court should rule in Watson's favour, Pfizer is effectively blocking Watson from entering the market for some time. Because Pfizer filed its lawsuit within 30 days of Watson's application, the FDA cannot approve Watson's application until after the court case is settled or in November 2013, whichever comes first.

With multiple Viagra patents expiring world-wide in the next few years and competitors steadily increasing sales and announcing new innovations, Pfizer must do everything it can to hold on to its market share. In the past few months alone Pfizer has announced a new chewable Viagra for the Mexican market and its own generic Viagra for New Zealand.

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The lawsuit against Watson will no doubt be viewed as yet another measure to retain control of one of the company's biggest sellers. Watson, meanwhile, already sells authorised generics of other Pfizer drugs such as the best-selling cholesterol medication Lipitor.