Even those who aren’t familiar with the world of pharmaceuticals will know of the legendary blue pill, first manufactured in the 1960s and still the best-selling drug in the world today. Viagra is a superstar when it comes to drug advertising and brand recognition, so it’s no wonder that the name has already been trademarked by 21 pharmaceutical companies and is allegedly the most profitable in history. So, without further ado, here are the top 3 logos that deserve to be on your radar when it comes to representing the amazing effects of the pill you love to love.
3. Roche – The Champagne Of Medicine
Roche, the Swiss company that owns the majority of the pharmaceutical market, is one of the most well-known brands in the world, thanks to its iconic green-and-white checkerboard design. The logo was first introduced in 1889 and has since become synonymous with efficiency and high quality. You’ll often see Roche products in fast-food restaurants and gas station convenience stores, as the company is now involved in almost every aspect of pharmaceuticals, from research and design to manufacturing and distribution. When it comes to promoting their products, they don’t mess around.
This particular logo uses a clever blend of arrows and circles to represent the double-ringed logo, which was first designed in the 1930s to represent the unifying power of pharmaceuticals. While there are some who argue that the rings are an outdated symbol, as diseases become more rare, it’s clear that the rings still have the ability to unify.
2. Pfizer – Feel The Feelings
Pfizer, the king of pharmaceuticals, has been around since 1849 and is now one of the world’s largest and most profitable companies. The name means “friend of poor people,” and this philanthropic side isn’t represented in the logo at all, but it’s definitely there behind the scenes. If you ever visit a drugstore or health food store, you’ll notice that Pfizer has quite the presence, with products in almost every area, from anti-aging to women’s health, cardiovascular disease, and psychiatric disorders. When it comes to corporate social responsibility, Pfizer is a major contributor to many major charities, including the American Cancer Society and the Alzheimer’s Association.
The company’s famous “pears” logo was designed by Hungarian-American artist and designer Charles Elmer Blumer in 1930. The pear shape and the leaf-like design were meant to represent the company’s main products at the time, cocaine and morphine. While these two drugs have since been removed from the company’s menu, the pear still represents the “poignant fragility” of corporate giants.
1. S.O.S – See Something, Say Something
S.O.S, or “Save Our Society,” is an activist organization that seeks to educate the public on the dangers of pornography and sexual addiction. Established in 1982, the group now has more than 200,000 members worldwide. They lobby governments, campaign for laws, and educate the youth about the harms of sexting, phone grooming, and online pornography.
The logo designed by the group’s founder, Stan Huges, is a symbol of an open book with a blue slash through it, representing the destruction caused by pornography and other obscene materials. While the logo itself isn’t very distinctive, Stan Huges is credited with giving the world the “OK” sign, which became internationally recognized in the 1960s. The motto “See something, say something” was first used by the organization in the 1970s and now represents their commitment to speaking up and taking action against abuse.
Honorable Mentions
These three brands, like many others, are worth knowing about but don’t quite make it to the top 3. The logos for these companies represent their commitment to creating safe and effective medicines to improve people’s quality of life. Here are some of the biggest brands out there, each with a unique story.
- Astra Zeneca
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Novartis
- Sanofi
- Takeda
The Rising Stars
If you’re interested in learning more about some of the new, upcoming brands on the market, check out these three companies, each with a unique story and bright future: