It’s well-known that Viagra (sildenafil citrate) is one of the most popular and well-known ED drugs; however, what many men don’t know is that the price of a single 100-milligram tablet has increased by more than 400% since 2010.
So what exactly is the reason for this price increase? And what should you know about this popular drug that increases the prices and reduces the availability? Let’s review.
Generic Competition
One of the major reasons for the recent spike in Viagra prices is the stiff competition in the generic drug market. Three of the main competitors to Viagra are Cialis (tadalafil), Levitra (vardenafil), and Staxyn (sildenafil). It’s important to note that these three drugs are almost identical in the way they work and how they’re prescribed; however, they differ in price and availability. In particular, generic versions of Cialis and Levitra are now available and can be purchased for significantly less money than the price of a 100-mg Viagra tablet. In fact, a 100-milligram package of Cialis is on average about half the price of a similar package of Viagra. This makes it a much more affordable option for those on a tight budget.
The End Of The Blank Check
Another major reason for the increase in Viagra prices is that prior to 2010, insurance companies and Medicare were often willing to pay for Viagra prescriptions for men. This is because the drug was generally considered to be safe and effective for treating erectile dysfunction. So if a man visited his doctor and was prescribed Viagra, he could reasonably expect to pay less for his medication than today’s prices due to the drug’s excellent reputation. Unfortunately, this has changed since 2010 when the FDA approved a new drug for treating sex problems in women: Femara (raloxifene citrate).
Femara is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), which means that it is able to regulate both male and female hormone levels. While many people believe that SERMs only block the beneficial effects of estrogen on the body (such as the bone-protecting effects and cardiovascular health benefits), this is far from true. For example, raloxifene has been shown to have neuroprotective effects and has been approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. So in theory, men who are experiencing erectile dysfunction and are taking Viagra could be experiencing improvement on this front as well (even though it’s not always the case).
Global Demand
Finally, we need to acknowledge that there’s been an increase in global demand for Viagra over the past five years. According to the Institute for Medicine Studies, more men are reporting problems with erectile dysfunction, which means that there’s more interest in the drug. As in other medicines, a greater demand usually results in higher prices.
So, how does this affect you as a patient? Just as with other prescription drugs, your healthcare provider will need to factor in the cost of Viagra when determining your “out of pocket” expenses. This is also the case whether you’re buying the drug from a major pharmacy or a smaller one that has a high markup. In either case, the cost of a prescription for one 100-mg tablet of Viagra will likely be more than you’re supposed to spend on a weekly hair dye. So before you enter a pharmacy to get the drug, make sure you check with your healthcare provider to determine whether or not this is a treatment option that’s right for you.