The agency has seized more than £50m of unlicensed and counterfeit versions since 2012. Berkeley Phillips, the UK medical director of Pfizer, told The Times that “some men may avoid seeking support and treatment for this condition, so we believe giving them the option to talk to a pharmacist and buy Viagra Connect could be a real step forward in encouraging more men into the healthcare system”.
Viagra (sildenafil) for ED: a proven treatment to increase penile blood flow
It achieved peak worldwide sales of more than $2 billion in 2012 but sales have since declined as patents have expired, prompting Pfizer to explore extending its brand value as a non-prescription drug. Viagra is so far the only erectile dysfunction medicine to be reclassified from "prescription only medicine" to "pharmacy" status in Britain. The change follows a lengthy review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Pfizer will continue to make Viagra available as a prescription drug but the option of also buying it over-the-counter is likely to reduce demand for potentially ineffective and dangerous fakes. "It's important men feel they have fast access to quality and legitimate care, and do not feel they need to turn to counterfeit online supplies which could have potentially serious side effects," said Mick Foy, the MHRA's group manager in vigilance and risk management of medicines.
What Are Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?
Reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by Alexander Smith and Mark Potter Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. Regulators hope to curb trade in unlicensed and counterfeit versions Britain is to become the first country to reclassify Viagra so the drug can be sold over the counter, the medicines regulator announced today. Viagra Connect - designed to treat erectile dysfunction - will be sold to men aged 18 and over, subject to a discussion with the pharmacist, from spring 2018. US pharmaceutical company Pfizer has spent almost a decade fighting to get an over-the-counter designation for Viagra in the UK, Fortune magazine says, and has also tried to get the EU to approve a change to the drug’s current prescription-only status. The UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency says the over-the-counter designation will lessen the risk of men getting fake drugs online, The Times reports. Pharmacists will not sell the drug to men with severe cardiovascular disorders, high cardiovascular risk or severe kidney failure, or those taking specific interacting medications. Viagra Connect - which will be available in four-tablet and eight-tablet packs, with recommended retail prices of £19.99 and £34.99 respectively - contains the generic drug sildenafil. A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com From our daily WeekDay news briefing to an award-winning Food & Drink email, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox. From our daily WeekDay news briefing to an award-winning Food & Drink email, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
| Product | Dosage | Quantity + Bonus | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 180 + 10 Pills | 236.46€ 225.20€ | |
| Viagra Original | 100mg | 120 + 8 Pills | 470.39€ 447.99€ | |
| Viagra Super Active | 100mg | 270 + 30 Pills | 390.61€ 372.01€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 100mg | 60 + 4 Pills | 96.36€ 91.77€ | |
| Viagra Soft Tabs | 100mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 205.31€ 195.53€ | |
| Viagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 110 + 9 Sachets | 284.63€ 271.08€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 20 Pills | 37.74€ 35.94€ | |
| Viagra Professional | 100mg | 270 + 6 Pills | 456.97€ 435.21€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 360 + 10 Pills | 481.98€ 459.03€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 90 + 6 Pills | 147.18€ 140.17€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 30 + 4 Pills | 47.97€ 45.69€ | |
| Viagra Oral Jelly | 100mg | 220 + 18 Sachets | 562.28€ 535.50€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 20 Pills | 61.69€ 58.75€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 25mg | 120 + 6 Pills | 125.56€ 119.58€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 150mg | 10 Pills | 36.73€ 34.98€ | |
| Viagra Generic | 200mg | 180 + 10 Pills | 277.56€ 264.34€ | |
| Viagra Super Active | 100mg | 20 + 4 Pills | 48.05€ 45.76€ |
The U.K. has become the first place in the world to allow Viagra, U.S.
| Product Name | Active Ingredient | OTC Availability | Price Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamagra | Sildenafil | Yes | 10-15 per tablet | Not officially approved, legal issues |
| Cenforce | Sildenafil | Yes | 12-20 per tablet | Similar to Viagra, caution advised |
| Sildenafil Citrate | Sildenafil | Varies | 8-18 per tablet | Check local laws |
| Vidalista | Tadalafil | Limited OTC | 15-25 per tablet | Longer-lasting effect |
drug giant Pfizer’s mega-selling erectile dysfunction treatment, to be sold over the counter and without a prescription. Men seeking out the little blue pill will be able to buy Viagra Connect—which has the same viagra packaging central ingredient as regular Viagra—for about £19.99 for a pack of four pills and £34.99 for an eight-pack at the pharmacy. Pfizer (PFE) has been fighting to get Viagra an over-the-counter designation in the U.K. for a while now.
- The demand for OTC ED medications is driven by privacy concerns.
- Some users prefer OTC products to avoid stigma associated with prescriptions.
- Online forums often discuss OTC "alternatives" for Viagra.
- Always prioritize safety and legality over price or convenience.
- OTC products should not replace comprehensive medical assessment.
- Persistent ED symptoms require proper diagnosis and treatment.
In fact, it made its first request for direct pharmacy sales of Viagra in the U.K. nearly a decade ago and has also tried to get the European Union to approve a change from prescription to over-the-counter status.
- The concept of OTC Viagra is more common in discussions than in practice.
- Many so-called OTC Viagra products are illegal or unapproved.
- Pharmacists generally cannot dispense prescription ED medications OTC.
- Online vendors may falsely claim OTC availability to attract customers.
- Due diligence is essential to avoid counterfeit or dangerous products.
- Responsible use of ED treatments involves medical supervision and advice.
Beginning in spring 2018, Pfizer says, the OTC version of Viagra will be available to consumers (as long as the pharmacist thinks it’s okay for the individual). That could help reduce some of the embarrassment factor that erectile dysfunction patients sometimes face.
- Natural supplements marketed OTC may include L-arginine or tribulus.
- The efficacy of OTC natural remedies for ED lacks substantial scientific support.
- OTC approaches are sometimes used for psychological ED factors.
- Patients should inform their healthcare providers about OTC supplement use.
- OTC ED products may lack consistent quality due to regulation gaps.
- Emergency medical help may be needed if adverse reactions occur.
Viagra has already faced competition from generic drug competitors in Europe after losing patent protection. In April 2020, it will also lose patent protection in the U.S., and generic Viagra versions will then be able to hit the American market.
2. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
Members enjoy round-the-clock access to 12,000+ verified Experts, including doctors, lawyers, tech support, mechanics, vets, home repair pros, more. After you reach out, we match you with an Expert who specializes in your situation. No scheduling hassles, missing time from work, or expensive consults. A JustAnswer membership can save you significant time and money each month. Sarahesq and 87 other doctors are ready to help you.
Can you cut 100 mg of Viagra in half?
Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc. ), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. Globally, Pfizer raked in about $1.6 billion in Viagra sales in 2016. Men suffering erectile dysfunction in New Zealand are now able to buy sildenafil from specially trained pharmacists without a GP’s prescription.
- OTC herbal or supplement products are often advertised as "natural Viagra."
- These products are not sanctioned by regulatory agencies like FDA or EMA.
- Effectiveness may be based on anecdotal evidence rather than clinical trials.
- Many OTC products use proprietary blends with undisclosed ingredients.
- Consumers should research thoroughly before buying OTC ED aids.
- Beware of hype around "miracle cures" marketed for quick results.
Sildenafil has been reclassified in New Zealand from a prescription medicine to a “prescription medicine; except when supplied by a pharmacist who has successfully completed the approved training programme for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in males aged 35–70 years”. This classification was chosen by New Zealand’s Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority, Medsafe, because a restricted medicine category would prevent its investigation and enforcement team from being able to intercept sildenafil at the border. The trained pharmacists will have to use a screening tool, and men who report heart problems and certain cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes, will not be eligible for the drug. All men requesting sildenafil will also be encouraged to visit their GP for a heart health and diabetes check, and pharmacists will be required to inform the patient’s GP that sildenafil has been provided unless the patient objects. The reclassification was pushed for by Douglas Pharmaceuticals, which launched a generic sildenafil in June 2011 after Viagra (Pfizer) came off patent. The company launched Viagra in New Zealand in the 1990s when Pfizer products were marketed there through Douglas Pharmaceuticals.
Generic Viagra: is sildenafil safe and effective?
JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Multi-Step Expert Quality Process, including license verification and peer reviews. Join over 10 million members who save money versus in-person appointments. Discuss your individual situation with an Expert who specializes in your topic, 24/7. No driving across town or wasted time in the waiting room.
Related medical questions
All Experts must pass a rigorous Multi-Step Expert Quality Process, including license verification and peer reviews. We pride ourselves in our multi-step verification process including license and credential checks. Vetted by us and rated by customers, like you. Ask-a-doc Web sites: If you've got a quick question, you can try to get an answer from sites that say they have various specialists on hand to give quick answers.. Justanswer.com. New Zealand is an early adopter of policy allowing an erectile dysfunction drug to be accessed directly from a pharmacy. Spain and Greece already allow this, and others are likely to follow. Lilly, the manufacturer of another erectile dysfunction drug, Cialis (tadalafil), has agreed a deal with Sanofi to allow the French firm to buy exclusive rights to apply to sell Cialis as a non-prescription medicine in Europe, the United States, Canada and Australia after certain patents expire. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition that doctors treat with prescription medication. While over-the-counter (OTC) ED supplements are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), they may be worth trying for other potential benefits. ED refers to difficulty developing or maintaining an erection.
| Side Effect | Frequency | Description | Management Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headache | Common | Throbbing pain, usually mild | Hydration, analgesics if necessary |
| Flushing | Common | Skin redness and warmth | Cooling measures, calm environment |
| Nasal Congestion | Moderate | Runny nose or stuffy feeling | Decongestants if needed |
| Dizziness | Less common | Lightheadedness | Sit or lie down until resolved |
| Vision Changes | Rare | Blurred or blue-tinted vision | Discontinue use, consult doctor |
It is a common condition: At least Different medical and psychological conditions can work together or independently to cause ED.
Frequently Asked Questions
JustAnswer.com...has seen a spike since October in legal questions from readers about layoffs, unemployment and severance. Traffic on JustAnswer rose 14 percent...and had nearly 400,000 page views in 30 days...inquiries related to stress, high blood pressure, drinking and heart pain jumped 33 percent. I will tell you that...the things you have to go through to be an Expert are quite rigorous. Web sites like justanswer.com/legal ...leave nothing to chance. Tory Johnson, GMA Workplace Contributor, discusses work-from-home jobs, such as JustAnswer in which verified Experts answer people’s questions.
Rx or OTC, consult a doctor first
LONDON (Reuters) - Pfizer's big-selling erectile dysfunction drug Viagra has been given a green light for sale without a prescription in Britain, cheap viagra online the first country to grant it over-the-counter status. The U.S. drugmaker said on Tuesday it was working on plans to launch the non-prescription version of the medicine, known as Viagra Connect, in the United Kingdom in the spring of 2018. The drug will only be available in pharmacies and its supply will depend on pharmacists' assessment of its suitability for each individual. Viagra has been one of the pharmaceutical industry's most successful prescription products since its launch in 1998, following a serendipitous discovery of its effects by researchers who had been studying it as a heart medicine. The American Urological Association (AUA) has clear treatment guidelines for the condition.