Affordable and Effective: India Welcomes Its Own Versions of Viagra
Affectionately dubbed as “man’s best friend,” the eagerly anticipated arrival of the generic Viagra has made its official entry into the Indian market. Four years after its global debut, the phenomenon of Viagra is set to revolutionize the local pharmaceutical landscape with multiple Indian versions ready to hit the shelves.
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved three pharmaceutical giants—Ranbaxy, Zydus-Cadila Healthcare, and Torrent Pharmaceuticals—to market these new variants. Zydus-Cadila’s product, Penegra, is already available, and Ranbaxy’s Caverta is expected to launch within a week. An additional 11 companies are poised to introduce similar products in the upcoming months.
These medications cater to a range of issues from diabetes, hypertension, and neurogenic disorders (which can sever nerves) to performance anxiety and liver damage. The active ingredient, Sildenafil citrate, known scientifically as Viagra, works by inhibiting an enzyme that restricts blood flow to the penis, thus facilitating an erection within 30 minutes of intake.
However, it comes with its caveats. Viagra can be dangerous for patients on nitrate medications or those with cardiovascular conditions, potentially causing severe drops in blood pressure, temporary visual color changes, nausea, and headaches.
The introduction of this drug is celebrated for its simplicity and effectiveness, making it a preferred option over other treatments. According to Dr. Saxena, “We can now prescribe oral tablets to our patients, steering them away from unqualified practitioners.” Dr. Vijay Kulkarni, a renowned Mumbai-based andrologist, adds, “It’s another tool for treatment.”
Despite the excitement, experts urge caution. DCGI Ashwini Kumar highlights that Viagra is not an aphrodisiac as commonly misconceived and its misuse could lead to serious consequences, thus it is only approved as a prescription medication. “It’s cleared under the condition that it’s used cautiously and under therapeutic supervision,” he states.
The correct dosage is critical and the Indian versions of sildenafil will be available in doses of 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. While it addresses symptoms temporarily, it doesn’t tackle the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction. Dr. Kulkarni emphasizes the importance of psycho-sexual counseling, pointing out that “Sexual dysfunction is about more than just Viagra.”
Market competition is expected to drive down prices significantly, which is beneficial for patients who previously paid up to Rs 500 per tablet for imported Viagra. The new, legitimate sildenafil brands are priced around Rs 20 per tablet.
Marketing strategies, including brand names, colors, and shapes of the tablets, will play a crucial role in determining the market leaders in this new segment. For instance, Ranbaxy’s Caverta is named after the cavernosa, a key part of the penis involved in erection, while Torrent’s Androz is named after andrology, the study of male health, explains R. Balasubramanian, VP of Marketing at Torrent.
The introduction of affordable sildenafil variants is set to potentially diminish the market for herbal anti-impotence remedies, offering a scientific and tested option to countless individuals across India.
This revised version aims to provide clarity, integrate professional medical insights, and highlight the strategic implications for the market while maintaining a focus on the benefits to the patient.
