Pfizer Goes Direct With Online Viagra Sales To Men

The ubiquitous blue-toned TV ads for Viagra look downright tame compared with Pfizer's latest gambit for the impotence remedy.

Pfizer is now selling the drug directly from the official Viagra website. This move not only marks a significant shift in the pharmaceutical industry but also provides an innovative solution to men seeking access to Viagra without the social stigma associated with obtaining it from traditional pharmacies.

Men still need a prescription for the diamond-shaped blue pills. However, this newly established direct-to-consumer model means that instead of feeling the anxiety of going to the pharmacy in person, or risking their health by purchasing from an online pharmacy with questionable trustworthiness, men will have the opportunity to buy Viagra directly from the established and trusted manufacturer itself and have it conveniently shipped right to their homes, saving time and reducing embarrassment.

To be clear, Pfizer isn't venturing into unknown territory; they will not be fully managing the pharmacy business. The reputable CVS drugstore chain will handle the processing and fulfillment aspects of the orders. Nonetheless, this direct sales approach from a Pfizer website represents a noteworthy deviation from how prescription drug manufacturers typically distribute their products.

Pfizer argues that this innovative company-sponsored method offers two significant advantages. Firstly, men who have previously felt embarrassed to walk into a pharmacy and fill a Viagra prescription will now have an alternative that safeguards their dignity. Secondly, the official website will instill confidence in online shoppers, ensuring that the Viagra they receive is genuine and not counterfeit.

Viagra is a frequent target of counterfeiters. A multitude of online pharmacies often boast cut-price Viagra deals that can seem appealing. However, people who opt to buy drugs online are essentially "playing Russian roulette," according to Matthew Bassiur, a Pfizer security specialist, who warns about the dangers of acquiring medications from unreliable sources.

Despite the significant allure of the online market, the hefty price of Viagra is unlikely to see any reduction. The medicine typically runs about $25 per pill, which can lead to financial strain, especially since many health insurers do not cover it. When combined with the embarrassment factor, you begin to grasp why a considerable number of men have chosen to purchase Viagra online, even before the official pathway was established.

But will this new direct-to-consumer approach actually work to entice men? That remains contingent on each individual man’s motivations and needs.

“Is this decision driven by embarrassment or the pricing of the pills?” questions Richard Evans, a veteran drug industry analyst now associated with SSR Health, an independent investment research firm. “Realistically speaking, I believe it’s likely a combination of both. However, I suspect the price is the more significant factor.”

If that assertion is indeed accurate, the response to Pfizer's direct offering may be less enthusiastic than anticipated. “You will consistently find more appealing offers from other suppliers compared to Pfizer,” Evans elaborates to Shots. “The key question remains whether the alternative options are legitimate or not.”

This innovative direct-selling approach stands out within the pharmaceutical industry, with the AP labeling it as a pioneering move.

In the past, Pfizer had ventured slightly in this direction by introducing a discount program for patients prescribed the cholesterol-lowering medication Lipitor, which included fulfillment through a mail-order pharmacy. However, that program necessitated patient enrollment and was primarily motivated by competitive pressures due to the emergence of generic versions of Lipitor.

Currently, there is no impending threat of generic competition for Viagra, as Pfizer anticipates that U.S. patents will shield the brand-name drug from generic alternatives until at least 2020.