Pfizer is one of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies, and they make some of the most popular drugs. One of their most popular products is Viagra, which is a blue pill that is used to treat male impotence. Since Pfizer owns the patent on Viagra, they can set the price for it wherever they please, and many people believe that it’s too expensive and over-inflated due to its high pricing. But is it really that bad? It all comes down to the fact that you can’t manufacture or import Viagra into the country, which has led to black market activity surrounding the drug. Can You Buy Pfizer Viagra?
Pfizer Viagra: A Brief History
In 1998, Pfizer acquired the US drug company Sanofi, which had a drug called sildenafil in its inventory that could potentially be used to treat male impotence. After the acquisition, Sanofi decided to rebrand the drug as Viagra and market it for use in men who had erectile dysfunction (ED), which is the inability to get or keep an erection adequate for sexual activity. In the following years, Pfizer continued to develop and manufacture Viagra, and in 2006 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for the treatment of ED in men. Since then, Viagra (sildenafil) has become one of the world’s most popular and well-known drugs. What’s more, Pfizer now owns four out of every five patents related to sildenafil, which means that they can set the price for the drug as they see fit. For instance, in 2019 they increased the price of Viagra by 400%, which brought its price to a whopping $48. And then, in 2020, they upped the price by another 100%. This has made the drug a hot ticket item, especially since the lockdowns in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic have forced more and more people to look for ways to have some excitement in their lives. The drug has become so popular that it has been observed that in some areas, namely the UK, men over 50 are now showing up at sexual health clinics in search of the drug. But is it really that big of a problem for older men to get their hands on Viagra? Does the stigma surrounding older men and sexuality make it more difficult for those over 50 to obtain the drug?
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Pfizer Viagra
As we’ve established above, Pfizer owns a majority of the patents related to Viagra, meaning that they can set the price for the drug in whatever way they see fit. Since its introduction in the 1990s, there have been speculations that Pfizer has overcharged for the drug. Many feel that it was excessive because at the time, other similar medications from other companies were selling for a third of the price that Pfizer was asking for, and many men with impotence were able to treat themselves at home with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. While it’s true that the OTC medications are a cost-effective alternative to Viagra, in some cases they can be a bit less effective, which means that some men might need to try a higher-priced option. But why pay more for what is essentially the same drug? Many people believe that the patent protection that Pfizer enjoys makes it prohibitive for other companies to sell a generic version of the drug, which would reduce the cost for patients. This seems fairly reasonable, given that a 10-year patent protects the drug from being copied or replicated by other companies, which would, in theory, allow generics to be sold at a cheaper price. So if you’re interested in buying cheap Viagra to save some money, you’re out of luck, as the cost is likely to come out of your pocket. What’s more, the high price of the drug often leads to black market activity, as people try to find ways to make ends meet on a limited income, and the risk of purchasing counterfeit or substandard medication is also something to keep in mind. Can You Buy Pfizer Viagra?
Counterfeit Concerns
If money is no object to you and you’re still interested in saving money while treating your impotence, then it’s worth considering buying an OTC medication that has been approved by the FDA. The problem is that many OTC medications, especially those used to treat ED, have been shown to be pretty ineffective, which means that you’re asking to be fucked with when it comes to medications that you might buy without a prescription. If you do end up taking such a medication, then there’s always the risk of accidentally overdosing on the item, which could be fatal. So, while it’s true that OTC medications are a great option for some people, others might want to look at more traditional options, like visiting a sexual health clinic or calling your doctor and asking for a prescription. Does the stigma surrounding older men and sexuality make it more difficult for those over 50 to obtain the drug?
The Stigma Surrounding Older Men And Sexuality
While there’s certainly a stigma attached to older men and sexuality, the truth is that there’s a stigma attached to just about every aspect of being an older man, including being a virgin. Does the stigma make it more difficult for those over 50 to obtain the drug? Not necessarily. As we’ve established above, there are effective and OTC medications that can be used to treat sex problems in older men, which means that there’s no need to be embarrassed or feel that you’re doing something wrong. Many older men with ED keep their prescriptions a secret, which suggests that there’s still some shame surrounding this issue, but there’s also a desire to be able to treat the condition and not be made to feel different or less of a man because of it. What’s more, there’s also often a desire among older men to help their partners with their sexual problems, which is why they’re visiting sex clinics in droves, but there’s also a fear of being perceived as less of a man because of this. It’s a difficult balance, but men, of all ages, should not be afraid to speak about their sexuality or their willingness to have sex. Can You Buy Pfizer Viagra?
Getting A Handle On The Costs
One of the biggest issues surrounding the high price of Viagra is not knowing where or how much you’re going to spend. Other medications that are used to treat ED have a set price that most people know in advance, which makes budgeting easier, especially if you have a limited income. Unfortunately, with Viagra (and other patented drugs), this is where the problem lies, as the price will vary from pharmacy to pharmacy, depending on how much the pharmacist wants to make on the transaction. Most people have a good handle on the cost of insulin and other diabetes medication, as these can be calculated in advance and are typically given to people with chronic conditions, like diabetes. However, the cost of a single dose of Viagra can vary from $20 to $48, which has frustrated many people who don’t have insurance or who don’t want to invest in an OTC medication that they might not need.
Where Can You Buy Pfizer Viagra?
While there are multiple places that you can get Viagra, including multiple pharmacies and sexually-oriented stores, you probably want to avoid buying the drug at a gas station or store that sells lots of other items you don’t need. Instead, look for a pharmacy or drugstore that specializes in selling prescription medication, which means that they have a good relationship with their doctor and can get medications that are not available at many other places. Nowadays, much of the medication that gets sold at gas stations and other non-specialized stores comes from China, where the drug has been hugely popular for years, and is often cheaper than what you can get directly from the manufacturer. But the cost is still often higher than it needs to be, which is why it’s not a good idea to buy drugs at these places. What’s more, if you do happen to overdose on the item, you’ll have a really hard time finding the medical assistance that you need to recover, as most hospitals and doctors’ offices will not want to get involved in a drug overdose case. So, in some situations, where there’s a good chance that you might need an ambulance, it’s best to find a safer alternative, like an OTC medication. At the end of the day, Viagra is still a highly-priced drug, even if it is OTC, which might make it difficult for some men to buy, especially without insurance coverage. Can You Buy Pfizer Viagra?