Chinese Companies To Make Viagra Variant After Pfizer Loses Patent

Chinese pharmaceutical makers are planning to jointly produce a local variant of Viagra after Pfizer Inc of the US lost its patent protection in China for the popular drug. Without citing a source, state media reported Wednesday the 17 pharmaceutical companies, headed by Tonghua Hongtaomao Pharmaceutical Co Ltd. from northeastern China, are hoping to set up a joint-stock company to make an erectile dysfunction drug that would cost only half the price of Viagra. The report said the Chinese product would cost 40-50 yuan (4.8-6.0 dollars) per tablet, compared to the current 99 yuan (12 dollars) price for the Pfizer product. The report quoted Zhang Yucai, chairman of Tonghua Hongtaomao Pharmaceutical, as saying the alliance will unify production and sales so as to avoid adverse competition. The companies are scheduled to meet in Beijing tomorrow to discuss issues regarding the establishment of the alliance, the report said, without giving further details.

Back to news