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Generic Viagra, Cialis and Levitra
NEW YORK, August 3, 2004 -- Pfizer, the maker of Viagra® (sildenafil citrate), announced today that the company is taking legal action against dozens of illegitimate online “pharmacies” and working with law enforcement agencies to block sales of counterfeit Viagra and illegal “generic” versions of Pfizer’s erectile dysfunction medication. In addition, the company has launched a new public awareness advertising campaign and online resource on www.viagra.com to help educate consumers about how to avoid illegitimate websites, safely purchase genuine Viagra online, and help minimize Viagra spam. “Pfizer is taking these steps to help raise consumer awareness about the problems posed by illegitimate online ‘pharmacies’ and to directly address the source of these problems,” said Jeff Kindler, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Pfizer. “We want it clearly known that Pfizer does not send or support the sending of spam, which comes from websites that illegally use the Viagra name to promote and market unapproved ED products that may contain ingredients that either do not provide optimal efficacy or may pose health risks.” Kindler said Pfizer is suing a number of these websites, as well as filing dozens of legal proceedings to seize the domain names of illegal sites selling fake Viagra. The company is also working with numerous government organizations including the Department of Justice, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prosecute counterfeiters and to identify and seize illegal products. “It’s often difficult for consumers to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate Internet ‘pharmacies,’” said Brian Lamkin, Chief of the Financial Crimes Section, FBI. “These websites are cleverly designed to defraud consumers and sell drugs that are not approved by the U.S. FDA.” These illegal websites often promote “Viagra” but send the consumer counterfeit drug. Some sites promote “generic Viagra” or “generic sildenafil citrate”—although this is not legally possible since there is no FDA-approved generic version of Viagra. The tactic can be misleading to consumers, who routinely purchase legitimate FDA-approved generic versions of other drugs. Pfizer receives letters from consumers who unknowingly purchase fake Viagra from such websites, and receive drug that doesn’t work or makes them ill. According to a recent national survey of 676 men aged 35+, 20 percent of men who purchase ED medications buy them online, and two-thirds of them don’t check to see if the website they are purchasing from is legitimate. Only 38 percent of all men surveyed believe it is essential to have a doctor’s prescription in order to purchase Viagra. Indeed, many online pharmacies that sell counterfeit Viagra or illegal “generic” ED medications require no physician evaluation. “It’s very important to talk to your doctor if you are having erectile difficulties,” said Dr. Larry Lipshultz, Professor at the Scott Department of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. “A proper evaluation and diagnosis are critical, especially since ED may be a sign of other conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or depression.” Sales of illegal generic versions of Viagra are largely driven through unsolicited email (or spam) that promotes the purchase of these products. Survey results found that more than a quarter of men believed erroneously that Pfizer, the maker of genuine Viagra (sildenafil citrate), is the source of the unwanted and often annoying emails. To combat this misperception and help consumers minimize their spam, Pfizer has launched a page on www.viagra.com that provides tips on how to avoid this growing problem. Don’t Get Burned According to the FDA, drug counterfeiters defraud consumers by selling products that resemble legitimate drugs but may contain inactive or incorrect ingredients; contain improper doses of active ingredients; or be otherwise contaminated. Other risks and consequences of purchasing ED products online from illegitimate websites may include: Safety Risks:
Financial Risks:
“Buying genuine Viagra online can be safe and convenient,” said Kindler. “Before buying prescription drugs through the Internet, consumers should look for certification that a pharmacy is properly licensed. This can be done by searching for the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice SitesTM (VIPPS®) Seal, or contacting your State Board of Pharmacy.” Carmen A. Catizone, NABP Executive Director, said his organization created the VIPPS accreditation program to “assist consumers in identifying legitimate online pharmacies,” adding that the “VIPPS Seal assures consumers that the pharmacy is appropriately licensed and prepared to practice pharmacy via the Internet in accordance with the VIPPS program criteria, which include an on-site inspection of the pharmacy’s facilities and a review of its policies and procedures.” A listing of online pharmacies with VIPPS accreditation can be found on www.nabp.net. For more information about purchasing safe ED products online, visit www.viagra.com. Overview of Pfizer’s Legal Action IPE Civil Action Pfizer Inc is filing lawsuits against the following 5 entities/individuals:
Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP)
About Viagra Viagra® (sildenafil citrate) is a prescription medication indicated for the treatment of ED. Viagra is available only from health care providers and should always be used in accordance with its approved labeling. Viagra is contraindicated in patients who use nitrates in any form at any time. Patients should discuss their general health status with their doctors to ensure that they are healthy enough to engage in sexual activity. If patients experience pain, nausea, or any other discomfort during sex, or an erection that lasts longer than four hours, they should seek medical help. The most common side effects of Viagra® (sildenafil citrate) are headache, facial flushing and upset stomach. Less commonly, bluish vision, blurred vision or sensitivity to light may briefly occur. Patients with recent serious cardiovascular events, hypotension or uncontrolled hypertension or retinitis pigmentosa did not participate in pre-approval clinical trials. In these patients, physicians should prescribe Viagra with caution. The use of Viagra offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Discovered and developed by Pfizer, Viagra is the breakthrough oral treatment for erectile dysfunction that is found to be effective and well tolerated in more than 130 completed and ongoing clinical studies. Viagra has been approved by regulatory authorities in more than 123 countries around the world and is among the most widely prescribed medications, with more than 130 million prescriptions written for 23 million men worldwide. Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures and markets leading prescription medications for humans and animals and many of the world’s best-known consumer products.
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