Three South Korean pharmaceutical firms will soon be allowed to produce generic versions of the anti-impotence drug Viagra despite a row over patents, officials said Wednesday. The Korea Food and Drug Administration said generic products made by the three local firms have passed a "bioequivalence" test. "The three firms are expected to get approval for production of Viagra generics probably this month or later," an official in charge of medicine tests told AFP on condition of anonymity. "Our move has nothing to do with an ongoing patent row," he said, adding the watchdog is also expected to give the go ahead for more local firms. Numerous domestic pharmaceutical firms have applied for approval to manufacture Viagra generics since it was introduced in South Korea in 1999. US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer claims its patent, which involves using sildenafil, is valid until May 2014. "Our patent covering the material is still valid," a Pfizer official in Seoul said, urging South Korean firms to recognise it. Pfizer has yet to counter a lawsuit filed by CJ Cheiljedang, a domestic pharmaceutical firm seeking to invalidate the patent. "We plan to produce a generic Viagra regardless of the court's ruling, even if we have to compensate Pfizer in the future," an unnamed CJ Cheiljedang official told Yonhap news agency.
GMT 18:35 2018 Thursday ,11 January
Syrian refugee sets himself ablaze at UN office in LebanonGMT 18:48 2018 Tuesday ,09 January
Novo Nordisk woos Belgian nano-drug makerGMT 17:54 2017 Wednesday ,27 December
Medical evacuations begin from besieged Syria rebel bastionGMT 12:14 2017 Monday ,25 December
MoHAP successfully conducts cochlear implant operationGMT 18:24 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Palestinian conjoined twins arrive in RiyadhGMT 19:05 2017 Monday ,18 December
new! magazine names fitness & food editorGMT 17:03 2017 Wednesday ,29 November
Spain reports case of 'mad cow disease'GMT 14:05 2017 Saturday ,11 November
EU can't agree on new licence for controversial glyphosate weedkiller
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor