If you’re like most guys, you’re probably wondering what will happen to Viagra going generic in 2012. Let’s take a look and find out!
Big Changes
In 2011, Viagra became the first drug to gain approval from the FDA for use in conjunction with medical devices such as stents and catheters. As a result, hospitals and medical centers are beginning to see a rise in the number of patients on the drug, and it’s becoming more and more common to see doctors write prescriptions for it.
Also in 2011, the U.S. government passed the Drug Safety Improvement Act, which requires a generic drug to undergo at least one clinical trial before it can be sold as competing brand. This trial period could last up to five years, during which time the drug’s safety and effectiveness cannot be disputed.
However, even with these trials and government regulations, generic Viagra is still largely considered a copy of the original drug and, as a result, has many of the same risks. To find out more, check out our free Vicagro Opinions at www.vigilanthealthcare.com
Increased Competition
In 2012, more and more guys are going to come forward and say that they’re experiencing ED (Erectile Dysfunction). In fact, according to the most recent statistics, almost 200 million men around the world suffer from this condition. So it really is a major issue and one that’s seriously affecting men’s lives.
As a result, your favorite drugstore is going to be filled with lots of options when it comes to treating ED. And what’s more, many of these products are going to be cheaper than Viagra because generic drugs are, in many cases, considerably less expensive than their brand-name counterparts.
This increased competition is going to drive down the cost of prescription drugs, which is always a good thing for men. We can also expect to see more and more companies enter the market and offer products that can help men with ED, whether it’s a patch, a pill, or even a booster shot.
Brand Extension
Thanks to the Internet, a lot of men are now learning about ED and, as a result, are going to ask their doctors about it. Many of these men will then choose to self-diagnose and try solutions for ED that their doctors never even thought of.
As a result, in 2012, we’re going to begin to see more and more branded products attempting to capitalize on ED awareness by adding a sex-appeal ingredient to their formula. For example, Cialis (Tadalafil) is widely considered to be the gold standard among ED drugs because of its long history of safety and effectiveness. Unfortunately, Cialis also happens to be one of the most expensive drugs on the market. But because so many men are unable to afford it, lots of copycats are jumping on the bandwagon to offer cheaper alternatives. These copycats are then going to go through the FDA’s rigorous approval process just like Cialis, which means that even more men will have access to cheaper ED treatments.
So in 2012, we’ll begin to see a rise in the number of men seeking cheaper ED treatments as a result of the increased competition and the growing number of men who are learning about ED. This is going to have a domino effect and result in more and more men being treated for this condition, especially as treatments continue to evolve and improve.
And if you want to get even more specific, let’s look at 2012’s breakout drug for ED, tadalafil (Cialis). This drug is cheaper than Cialis and has similar effectiveness, yet it has the potential to become even more popular than the original because it’s more appealing to men.
This is going to make generic Viagra one of the most popular and effective drugs in 2012, at least among men who are experiencing ED. And given how popular and effective this drug is, it’s only going to become more and more expensive for generic manufacturers to remain competitive. So eventually, they’ll have to follow suit and introduce cheaper alternatives, just like we’re beginning to see today.
Prices Will Continue To Rise
Even though these products are much more affordable for men, this isn’t necessarily going to translate into lower drug prices for everyone. After all, to create greater competition, drug manufacturers must keep prices high by making a profit and, as a result, are unlikely to provide these drugs at a discount. In other words, it’s still going to be more expensive to be a man in 2012 than it was in 2011.
This is especially true for men who are self-diagnosing ED and are therefore forced to look for alternatives. Even though there are lots of cheaper treatments available, they inevitably come with their own set of risks. But as long as there is demand, drug manufacturers can’t very well not produce it. So as long as men are prepared to pay for quality ED treatments, they’ll continue to be prescribed and sold, even though generic versions are now available.
This is why the cost for a prescription drug in the U.S. is always presented in two parts: the initial cost and the lifetime cost. The second part represents what we generally refer to as the discount or cost savings that come with generic drugs. So it’s always important to keep both of these parts in mind when considering the future of a drug you’re prescribed or are interested in purchasing.
Overall, What Will Happen To Viagra In 2012?
Considering all of the things discussed above, it’s really no wonder why so many men are interested in what’s going to happen to Viagra going generic in 2012. Let’s take a look and find out!
First, we’re going to see an increase in the number of men seeking cheaper ED treatments. Second, we’re going to continue to see more and more branded products attempting to add a sex appeal ingredient to their formula in an attempt to capitalize on ED awareness and consumer preference. Third, we’re going to continue to see drug prices rise because, as discussed above, even though generics are now available, they cannot, at this point, offer the same cost savings as their branded counterparts. Finally, generic Viagra is still going to be considered a safe and effective treatment for ED, which means that it can continue to be prescribed even after its expiration date.
So in summary, even though lots of men are going to become aware of ED in the coming months, there are still plenty of reasons why you should be worried about what’s going to happen to Viagra in 2012.