Is Selling Viagra Direct Online a Good Idea?
May 7th, 2013 // 1:05 pm @ jmpickett
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In an attempt to stop counterfeiters, Pfizer is planning to sell Viagra on its website. Prescriptions are still going to be needed, but the move means that users will not need to go to the pharmacy anymore. Also, for people on tight budgets, Pfizer is going to offer discounts on the first few purchases.
According to the Pfizer VP of global security, people who go online to buy Viagra are taking a risk. The factories where the fake drugs are made are in poor condition. He noted that many of the places you would not want to walk into, let alone buy a drug from.
Pfizer has a long history in fighting counterfeit drugs. This has been especially the case since Viagra has become such a huge counterfeit business. Pfizer claims that Viagra generates $2 billion in annual sales and is the larges counterfeited drug in America. A 2011 study by Pfizer found that 77% of ‘Viagra’ pills bought from online pharmacies were fake.
Online pharmacies attract buyers by claiming that they are selling ‘generic’ Viagra, which is not yet made in the US. Pfizer has a patent on the drug until 2020. Also, some buyers like the privacy that the Internet offers. Pfizer also has competition from other drug companies, such as Eli Lilly with Cialis. That is why Pfizer’s share of the impotence market has drop to 39% from 46% in 2007.
Some experts think that Pfizer is moving to sell Viagra online to protect its profits not just from counterfeiters but from legitimate pharmacies that sell Pfizer’s real product at a lower price online in foreign markets. Also, Pfizer does not want people to realize you can buy real generic Viagra in Canada, where it is now off patent.
This move to change distribution is going to be scrutinized in the industry to see if this type of sales approach can work to market other prescription drugs. If it appears to work, other drug makers are going to sell their drugs online straight to consumers too.
Pfizer is going to offer three pills at no charge with the first online order and 30% off the next order.
