Viagra, the most prescribed erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment in the world, celebrates six years of proven safety and efficacy in the Middle East.
Discovered and developed by Pfizer, Viagra (sildenafil citrate) offers a ground-breaking oral treatment for a condition that has a considerable impact on men’s sexual well-being.
“Since its launch, Viagra has become the number one selling impotence drug in 120 countries worldwide, and has dramatically changed how the condition is viewed, discussed and treated throughout the Middle East region,” said Dr. Mohammed Khalifa, Pfizer Middle East.
“Viagra has now become the drug of choice for men and their partners who are dissatisfied with their sexual performance, or who simply want to experience better sex,” he said.
The arrival of Viagra in 1998 revolutionised the field of erectile dysfunction and raised public awareness that it is a common health problem. Global estimates are that it affects over half of all men aged between 40 and 70 years, or approximately 130 million men worldwide.
In fact, the drug has been catapulted to ‘icon’ status, with approximately nine tablets being sold every second and sales-to-date of over one billion tablets internationally, easily outranking all other ED treatments in terms of patient awareness and popularity.
“Viagra continues to have a profound effect on the lives of millions of men across the Middle East, and has offered new hope of enhanced quality of life and improved relationships,” added Khalifa.
Several alternative drugs for erectile dysfunction have entered the marketplace, but only in the last several months, and none has been tested clinically as exhaustively as Viagra, with more than 13,000 men having been involved in clinical trials worldwide.
Alternative drugs carry limitations in patients suffering from certain prostatic diseases, as well as those taking medications affecting heart rate. Some of these alternative products generate new side effects such as low back and pelvic pain, and severe muscle pain.
Medical experts suggest that they should not be used on a continuous or daily basis due to the potential risks of accumulation in the body, and the potential effects on the testes, especially in young men. (menareport.com)
© 2004 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
