The UK government has announced that it expects to make a decision on whether or not to grant approval for the manufacture and sale of generic Viagra in the UK within the next two months.
The drug, which is known as sildenafil in the UK, was first approved for use in the country back in 2012, and ever since then it has become one of the most popular recreational drugs in the UK.
According to the government, patients could start seeing cheaper generic variants available on the UK market as early as next year. However, it is not yet known whether or not these will be available to all patients, or if they will still require a prescription.
Allowing For More Choice
It is widely accepted that the approval of a generic drug in the UK tends to be a long and drawn-out process due to the large number of restrictions and regulations that have to be met. One of the major barriers that have to be overcome is the issue of safety.
Since sildenafil was the first generic version of Viagra to be approved for use in the UK, it has been subjected to stringent testing and safety measures. Anecdotal evidence suggests that patients are having to travel abroad to buy sildenafil, as it is extremely difficult to secure a prescription due to the high demand in the UK.
The introduction of a cheaper, equally effective alternative will give patients more choice and hopefully reduce the number of adverse effects that are associated with the use of sildenafil. Not only that, but it could also encourage more people to try the drug, thus further reducing the UK’s dependency on prescribed medication for treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Possible Impact On Prescription Medication
The government stated that while it expects generic Viagra to have a “positive impact” on the UK market, it cannot yet estimate exactly how much cheaper it may make prescription medication.
The fact that a cheaper and equally effective option exists represents a real threat to the already limited resources that are available for prescription medication in the UK. Since the approval of sildenafil in 2012, the cost of a typical script has risen by 104%, and experts warn that this may put further pressure on National Health Service (NHS) resources as the number of patients seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction continues to rise.
According to the government, around 250,000 men are currently diagnosed with erectile dysfunction in the UK, and it is estimated that about a quarter of these men are currently undiagnosed.
With increasing life expectancy, more and more people are living with conditions that were once considered “normal” age-related problems, and ED is certainly one of these conditions. As well as affecting the quality of life of many men, it also has a significant economic impact. In 2010, the cost of treating ED in the UK was around £12.9 billion, and the average cost of a diagnosis was £233.
While generic Viagra would undoubtedly be beneficial to the large number of patients who are unable to secure a sufficient supply of sildenafil through normal channels, it is essential that the drug is safe and effective. Since it is a relatively new medication, there is a lot we still don’t know about its long-term impacts, and the existing evidence points to serious side effects.
Where Will This All End?
The fact that the law requires that generic Viagra must contain the same active ingredients as the branded drug and is equally effective in treating erectile dysfunction means that it is bound to reach the UK market eventually. It is just a question of time before it becomes available here.
Even though the process of gaining approval for a new medication can be a lengthy and tiresome one, it is still considered to be a major milestone for a drug manufacturer, as this represents the first step towards bringing their product to market. The fact that all of this has to be done while being mindful of government regulations and the pharmaceutical industry’s concerns for safety is no mean feat, and it is certainly worthy of respect.