Teva Pharmaceutical Industries has introduced generic version of Pfizer's Viagra (sildenafil) in Germany, UK, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Austria, Belgium and Denmark following patent expiry.
Offered through the company's existing wholesaler and pharmacy channels, the generic product that is indicated for erectile dysfunction in adult men had already been launched in Spain, Canada and certain other countries.
Teva Europe generics president and CEO Dipankar Bhattacharjee said, "Teva has a proud track record of bringing high-quality generics to the market on day one of patent expiry, and we have been able to launch sildenafil immediately on patent expiry in all the major markets of Europe."
Additionally, Actavis also launched Sildenafil Actavis 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets, the generic equivalent to Viagra, in 11 major Western-European markets.
Manufactured and developed by Actavis, in Malta and Iceland respectively, Sildenafil tablets have become the first generic sildenafil to enter the patent-free Bulgarian market in June 2009.
The sales of Viagra for the 12 months ending 31 March 2013 in Europe were €382.2m, according to IMS Health.
