Pfizer Releases New Version To Compete with Generic's

Pfizer's expiring Viagra patents have received plenty of media coverage in the past few months and there has been no lack of speculation as to how the market will be affected. Now it seems that, for the men of New at least, it means that the little blue pill will be much more competitively priced. The only difference is that it will not be called Viagra.

This new pill is made by the same company, using the same active ingredient, only it will be marketed differently and sold at approximately half the price. The price-conscious Kiwi man will therefore soon be able to buy the real deal, from a trusted source, instead of relying on cheap and often untested generics. The name of this new frugal wonder is Avigra.

Pfizer also released Chewable version of Sildenafil Citrate call "Viagra Jet"?

A single company working with multiple brands is certainly not unheard of. In the publishing industry publishers hide behind imprints to create a stronger brand-image in separate genres. In fashion, restaurants and virtually any other imaginable industry it is done to target multiple spending levels, while maximising brand identity and income. In the erectile dysfunction industry, however, Pfizer's move is unique. Other medical giants will no doubt watch the developments carefully.

Bayer also released Levitra Orodispersible Tablets, which dissolve in the mouth

But Pfizer has yet another motivation for this new dual brand strategy. While their patents expire in New Zealand this month there are still many countries around the world where Pfizer still has patents. In nearby Australia, for example, Pfizer's Viagra patents will remain valid until 2013. By launching this second drug the classic Viagra pill can stay on the same price level in New Zealand and Australia and minimize Pfizer's losses due to illegal overseas distribution.

Pfizer's sales of Viagra have decreased currently neck to neck Cialis

Described by many as a bold move, it may just be a necessary one. Even without the loss of their patents, Pfizer's sales of Viagra in New Zealand have decreased in the past year and are currently neck to neck with erectile dysfunction pill, Cialis. The company also has other lucrative patents expiring in the near future and Avigra will no doubt constitute a trial-run for future damage control.

As for the consumer - the brand and quality conscious New Zealander will still be able to buy the original little blue Viagra pill. For those who found the original prohibitively expensive, on the other hand, Avigra will offer a perhaps more palatable option to the cheap knockoffs.

EDGuider Forum: Future ED treatments in the works