Thailand To Sell Generic Viagra Drug: Officials

[webfact]

Thailand to sell generic Viagra drug: officials

BANGKOK, Sept 26, 2012 (AFP) - Thailand has approved an affordable generic version of the anti-impotence drug Viagra to go on sale next week, as the country looks to combat rampant counterfeit production, officials said Wednesday.

The Thai diamond-shaped little blue pill, which resembles the original produced by US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, is called "Sidegra" and will be available on prescription across the country on October 1.

Priced at 25 baht (80 US cents) per pill, Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it will be ten times cheaper than full-price Viagra.

"This measure will solve widespread production of fake drugs by increasing accessibility to the legal version," FDA secretary general Pipat Yingseree said in a statement.

The release said Pfizer had since looked to discount its pills by 30 percent to "cooperate with the government on curbing fake drugs".

"Pfizer is selling at a discount to be able to compete with our Sidegra," said an official at the state-run Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, which is producing the drug.

No one from Pfizer's offices in Thailand was available for comment.

An FDA official said the US company's patent to produce the anti-impotence drug had expired in Thailand.

Fake sex drugs are openly on sale on street stalls targeting tourists around the red light districts of the Thai capital.

In a raid on a Bangkok warehouse in July, Thai police seized several hundred thousand purported sex enhancement and aphrodisiac pills and a large haul of sex toys, worth an estimated $3.2 million.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-09-26

[jerrysteve]

The question is, Have they tested them on RATS first. No No No I am not talking about the people in Parliment.

[Hornell]

Interesting, but it begs a couple of questions: 1) if Viagra is 10 times more expensive than Sidagra and 'poor' (?) old Pfizer is discounting by 30%, Viagra still retails at 175 Baht a pop, so I am not sure that their claim of competing with fake drugs holds much water; people will still go for the 25 baht version - if it works! 2) Nowhere is it mentioned whether or not one has to buy it on prescription - I think people need to know this.

Just as an afterthought it seems slightly ironic that the 'sex capital of the world' that has been so concerned about AIDS, prostitution, under age sex and paedophilia for so many years and has desperately been trying to bring sex awareness and condoms to the country at large, should now turn its attention to ensuring that maximum sex is possible by the greatest number of people. TIT!

[soidogs]

Interesting, but it begs a couple of questions: 1) if Viagra is 10 times more expensive than Sidagra and 'poor' (?) old Pfizer is discounting by 30%, Viagra still retails at 175 Baht a pop, so I am not sure that their claim of competing with fake drugs holds much water; people will still go for the 25 baht version - if it works! 2) Nowhere is it mentioned whether or not one has to buy it on prescription - I think people need to know this.

Just as an afterthought it seems slightly ironic that the 'sex capital of the world' that has been so concerned about AIDS, prostitution, under age sex and paedophilia for so many years and has desperately been trying to bring sex awareness and condoms to the country at large, should now turn its attention to ensuring that maximum sex is possible by the greatest number of people. TIT!

" The Thai diamond-shaped little blue pill, which resembles the original produced by US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, is called "Sidegra" and will be available on prescription across the country on October 1."

[jerrysteve]

We Hope No 1 Gets "Stiffed" at the Pharmacy Edited September 26, 2012 by jerrysteve

[chinook]

Watch out for the rise in 'aged foreigner found dead in hotel room after sex with Thai lady'..... these pills are not for the faint hearted.

[jaltsc]

Well, we will know when a politician is using it. He will become three inches taller

[KireB]

So let's get this straight, in order to 'combat' fake drugs the Thai government is producing its own fake drugs,

[jonclark]

So let's get this straight, in order to 'combat' fake drugs the Thai government is producing its own fake drugs,

Very astute point - If it is only available on prescription, it will not curb the fake drugs on sale around the red light areas as highlighted in the report, unless, (and please correct me if i am wrong) tourists can now rock up into Bangkok, head straight to the local hospital and get a prescription for Thaiagra and go happily sowing their seed.

But that situation hardly cultivates the correct image Thailand so desperately craves on the international stage does it?

Looks like its still business as usual for the tourist counterfeit trade.

[Beng]

Watch out for the rise in 'aged foreigner found dead in hotel room after sex with Thai lady'..... these pills are not for the faint hearted.

Good point there

[givenall]

The question is, Have they tested them on RATS first. No No No I am not talking about the people in Parliment.

they don't have balls anyways

[Gone]

So let's get this straight, in order to 'combat' fake drugs the Thai government is producing its own fake drugs,

Fake? Why would they be fake? They will probably be identical in contents to the real Viagra. The contract that Thailand had with USA to sell "Viagra" is finished so Thailand is smart enough to start producing them here now. Why is this a bad thing?

[TommoPhysicist]

" The Thai diamond-shaped little blue pill, which resembles the original produced by US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, is called "Sidegra" and will be available on prescription across the country on October 1."

Ever been in a Thai pharmacy? if you can name it, they will sell it.

[Semper]

What were you guys nibbling before you came to Thailand?

[MEL1]

The hub of clean toilets awards should rise dramatically, as every bloke will be pissing in the wind, or straight up should I say?

Loadsa a clean seats!

-mel

[Bpuumike]

I don't understand why prescription only when Viagral/Levitra/Cialis are readily available over the counter in every pharmacy

[tomyummer]

Great. We can only imagine what the next great export of the country will be. Forget rice!

[thrilled]

_{sounds like party time to me}

Edited September 26, 2012 by metisdead
: Font size reset.

[WhizBang]

So let's get this straight, in order to 'combat' fake drugs the Thai government is producing its own fake drugs,

FAKE? Hardly. It is a generic drug. Do you not know what the difference is between a fake and a generic? The fake drugs do not work because... (surprise)... THEY ARE FAKE.

Generics do work because they are NOT fake. They have the same active ingredients, just not the pricey brand name.

Understand now?

[MichaelSong]

It is regrettable that many different topics are criss-crossed here (and by the OP):

- fake drugs vs real thing

- generic drugs vs real

- fake drugs vs generic

Difficult to give any comment whithout being misunderstood

[PingManDan]

The question is, Have they tested them on RATS first. No No No I am not talking about the people in Parliment.

"Those dirty rats", famous words from the early movies

[hyperdimension]

The fake drugs do not work because... (surprise)... THEY ARE FAKE.

Fake drugs may still work as they may still contain the active ingredient; but you can never know for sure. I think this new state-produced version is more about profit, even though they won't admit it, than anything else. They can see the high and growing demand and want a slice of the pie.

It would be good if they also could start to produce MDMA (after legalization). The "peak" of the MDMA ("ecstasy") experience is like an orgasm (but non-sexual) that lasts for 4 or so hours. Think about the extents that people go through mostly just to attain a peak of a few seconds of a euphoric orgasm from sexual intercourse. MDMA can be a more direct route to pleasure and euphoria than Sildenafil (Viagra, Sidegra, Kamagra, etc.) or even natural sexual intercourse and is much longer lasting. The profits from legal MDMA would be huge and, apart from the profit motivation, there are many other valid reasons that they can use such as:

• People will know what they are getting, whereas on the street you can never be sure that it's real and pure MDMA. Often it's just methamphetamine which is much easier to produce and is inferior as it does not produce anywhere near as much euphoria; other times it could be a dangerous substitute;
  
• Legal MDMA would shrink the criminal drug business and the violent crime that is associated with it. It won't eliminate it as long as other drugs remain illegal, but it would still be a good step in the right direction;
  
• Alcohol is a very harmful recreational drug both to the users and to society (e.g. violent tendancies). Legal MDMA would become a much better alternative as it is much less toxic and produces feelings of intense happiness (which is what people want) and friendliness. Refer to results of scientific studies below that back up my claims of the difference in harmfulness.
  

Drug harms in the UK: a multicriteria decision analysis:

Quantifying the RR of harm to self and others from substance misuse: results from a survey of clinical experts across Scotland:

[jomaha]

After 10 years or so Pfizer's patent on Viagra expired in Thailand. Now it is legally possible to produce the Generic Version which has exactly the same effect. Indian pharma giants are producing these generic versions for years already. They are sold for 110 - 128 Indian Rupees per 4 piece blister pack (thats about 3 US $ for the package of 4. You can see at least one of them, Kamagra, offered by street vendors in Bangkok. I got a pack of Kamagra there for 200 Baht at the end of September. Before they asked for higher prices but of course they know that now, in October, a pack of 4 Sidegra is available for 180 Baht, and, from a licensed pharmacy too. The Kamagra pills are bigger in size, softer and have a dark green color, all not too favorable for this brand.

But, if you have an active sex life it may still be worth to buy online.

I made a test purchase of Viagraclones from BMpharmacy on September 11, 2012 as a first time buyer. I ordered 100 Sildenafil pills for 149.95 US $

with registered mail. I was entitled for 20 Bonus Pills Extra. So that would be 120 Sildenafil 100 mg tablets. On their homepage this online distributor of Generics promises

"Lowest Prices Guaranteed - find a cheaper price and we will beat it by 10 %" So I did some googling and found a slightly better rate. I was asked to mail them the homepage of the supplier, which I did. About 12 hours later I got a new price by them, according to their promise, complete with a special payment link for my order

(Hey, I will not tell you the other online pharmacy. I feel that would be not fair.)

When I tried to pay for my order with my VISA credit card. It was issued in a European country with a billing address in India and my shipping address in Thailand.

Obviously the system was not prepared for this combination and the CC payment failed. My card is verified by Visa and normally it redirects to this site for additional security. In this case I was not redirected to the Verification page of Visa. It seems the payment processor of BMpharmacy uses a different sytem.

Anyway, I decided to contact the Online Chat Support for other payment options. To my surprise I reached the support immediately and was adviced to send an international money order to a bank in the Seychelles, complete with IBAN number and everything I needed. I did it online and sent them a copy (screenshot) of the transaction.

Only hours later I got the confirmation mail. (If you live inthe USA or Canada you may opt for their Toll Free Customer Support as well, it should be available via 1-877-683-4511 As I live in Thailand I did not tried this option)

On September 14 I got the confirmation that my order had been shipped by Registered Airmail on September 13, 2012. I was told it may take 5 - 21 working days until my order would reach me.

The best thing: besides the order number I was provided with the Original Registration Number which can be tracked ONLINE

In my case, as I ordered from Thailand, I had to reenter the tracking number, and results were shown AFTER the registered airmail letter from the SEYCHELLES reached Thai territory. Details at sidegra dot asia

There is an express option - they claim it takes 5 - 7 working days for worldwide delivery.

I know, you all have a prescription, but, hey, just in case your doc forgot to tell you the interactions of the blue booster pill with other drugs, google for it !!! Especially if you take any medicine containing NITRITES ( or POPPERS) be warned: Your blood pressure could run amok

[hyperdimension]

I ordered 100 Sildenafil pills for 149.95 US $

Why order online when you can now supposedly buy it for the same price or cheaper locally?

Has anyone seen Sidegra in the pharmacies here yet?

[harryfrompattaya]

" The Thai diamond-shaped little blue pill, which resembles the original produced by US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, is called "Sidegra" and will be available on prescription across the country on October 1."

Ever been in a Thai pharmacy? if you can name it, they will sell it.

Can you buy this pill yet in Chiang Mia

[easylife]

" The Thai diamond-shaped little blue pill, which resembles the original produced by US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, is called "Sidegra" and will be available on prescription across the country on October 1."

Ever been in a Thai pharmacy? if you can name it, they will sell it.

Can you buy this pill yet in Chiang Mia

Any fresh news on this subject ?

[angy]

more then one year from the notice of start of production, nobody have found/tried Sidegra?

[CantSpell]

TAT very happy !!!

Cheap pills = Quality tourists

Awaiting statement by TAT officials about a new forecast of tourist arrival any minute now, should surely pass 30 Millions...

[ratcatcher]

more then one year from the notice of start of production, nobody have found/tried Sidegra?

It's pretty hard for me to say this, but it's available at certain pharmacies in Pathumthani without prescription.

Box of 4 x 50mg - B100, box of 4 x 100mg - B180 The prices are on the box. Any higher, and you are getting screwed.

I'm amazed at the timing of this news. The city is in some turmoil and out comes an announcement that will cause a general erection to be held.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/588265-sinegra-anyone-seen/

[Spare]

That should keep both the Red & Yellow occupied / satisfied for a while. Half time call.