Consumption of anti-impotence drugs such as Viagra and Snafi reached approximately 140 million Saudi riyals ($37.3 million) in the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states last year.
According to medical sources in the region, Saudi Arabia’s male market segment was the largest consumer of anti-impotence drugs in 2003, taking an 80 percent share of the GCC’s total sales. The treatment’s popularity in the Kingdom is attributed to high levels of diabetes, which is a main cause of sexual disability.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the second largest market for anti-impotence medication in the GCC, followed by Kuwait, reported the Saudi Al-Watan.
Pfizer’s Viagra brand controls 80 percent of the GCC impotence drug market. Snafi, a new competitor to Viagra is the first Arab drug against impotence to enter the indsutry. Developed by Saudi Arabia’s Spimaco Company, Snafi has been registered by the GCC Central Department for Drug Registration and will soon be registered also in the UAE market.
Other popular medications for erectile dysfunction in the region are Bayer Pharmaceuticals’ Levitra and Lilly ICOS’ Cialis. — (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
