# How can the active ingredient of Viagra be generic, but no generic Viagra exist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 2, 2015, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-active-ingredient-of-viagra-be-generic-but-no-generic-viagra-exist/708759 "2015-01-02T10:28:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-active-ingredient-of-viagra-be-generic-but-no-generic-viagra-exist/708759/1 "2015-01-02T10:28:15Z")
According to Wikipedia, Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra is now available in generic pill form, but that “generic Viagra” is not. Same drug, different dosage, vastly different price. I can see the different patent expiration dates, bit what is stopping a company from marketing Sildenafil in a 50mg form? ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-active-ingredient-of-viagra-be-generic-but-no-generic-viagra-exist/708759/2 "2015-01-02T11:24:25Z")
There are generic sildenafil drugs, they’re just marketed for different purposes - Pfizer still holds a patent for using sildenafil to treat erectile dysfunctions, but there is no patent covering its use to treat arterial diseases. As a consequence, generic pills are available for the latter purpose, but there’s little to stop people from getting it for that purpose but then using it for another. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-active-ingredient-of-viagra-be-generic-but-no-generic-viagra-exist/708759/3 "2015-01-02T11:43:46Z")
You don’t even have to get them for arterial disease treatment. Docs can write prescriptions for any purpose. If you want generic sildenafil just make an appointment, say “generic boner pills plz” and you’re set. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-active-ingredient-of-viagra-be-generic-but-no-generic-viagra-exist/708759/4 "2015-01-02T11:50:41Z")
I thought you could patent a substance, but not the use of a substance ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-active-ingredient-of-viagra-be-generic-but-no-generic-viagra-exist/708759/5 "2015-01-02T11:53:52Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > I thought you could patent a substance, but not the use of a substance You can patent a “[useful process](http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/35/101)”, and Pfizer’s claim is based on the idea that the use of a particular drug to treat a particular medical condition is a “useful process” different from the substance as such. ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-active-ingredient-of-viagra-be-generic-but-no-generic-viagra-exist/708759/6 "2015-01-02T11:56:37Z")
Btw, here’s a [link](http://www.google.com/patents/US6469012) to Pfizer’s existing patent in the United States. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-active-ingredient-of-viagra-be-generic-but-no-generic-viagra-exist/708759/7 "2015-01-02T12:20:28Z")
You mean those emails I get are lying? ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-active-ingredient-of-viagra-be-generic-but-no-generic-viagra-exist/708759/8 "2015-01-02T13:36:31Z")
Ok. I’ll talk to my doctor. I can handle taking 2.5 20mg pills that cost $24 for 90 as opposed to 1 50mg pill that costs more than $20 for one. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-active-ingredient-of-viagra-be-generic-but-no-generic-viagra-exist/708759/9 "2015-01-02T13:42:14Z")
Amazing. Seven responses, and no one asked “Need answer fast?” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-active-ingredient-of-viagra-be-generic-but-no-generic-viagra-exist/708759/10 "2015-01-02T15:28:38Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Amazing. Seven responses, and no one asked “Need answer fast?” That’s after the four hour mark. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-active-ingredient-of-viagra-be-generic-but-no-generic-viagra-exist/708759/11 "2015-01-02T16:01:27Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > Ok. I’ll talk to my doctor. I can handle taking 2.5 20mg pills that cost $24 for 90 as opposed to 1 50mg pill that costs more than $20 for one. I, for one, have absolutely never had any problem understanding why Pfizer could basically charge the pill’s weight in gold. There’s a whole dichotomy in medicine/pharma summed up by “There are no male contraceptives because the available options have the same risk levels as female contraceptives.” Closely related is “If men got pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament.” A pill (many) to fix all those problems with female plumbing? Big deal. But wait… a pill that will give Mr. Stiffy new resolve? Empty my bank accounts!