Let’s explore the use and availability, among other topics on the popular erectile dysfunction drug, Viagra, in South Africa. It seems that there is a large demand for Viagra beyond what one may perceive and South Africa is no exception. With this high demand for the drug and the fact that the patent for using Sildenafil Citrate as a remedy for ED has expired created an opportunity for many other drug manufacturers to get in on the market. Drug manufacturers in South Africa have joined the ranks and are now producing generic forms of the drug.
Viagra. What does this mean for Viagra, the manufacturer and their bottom line?
Well, they are going to have to work at it to stay competitive. They must educate the consumer on not just the product itself, but the dangers of counterfeit drugs and sugar pills. Viagra is a well known name and trusted brand for an ED drug and this will work greatly in their favor. The first line of defense would be to use scare tactics to keep the market from going to sketchy and undocumented sources for the generics and the knock offs. When I say “scare tactics” I am not talking smoke, mirrors and putting the fear of God into play. I am speaking of Viagra educating the consumers with real facts and information on what is available and the downside of going away from a proven drug for a cheap generic substitute. The other issue that they can educate the consumers on is the dangers of on-line shopping for ED drugs of any nature. The very first and real possibility is that your transaction is processed and that is the end of it, or so you think. They received your credit card information to process your payment and not only do they have your money, but they can now sell your identity, too. The message that Viagra is trying to get across is that for the desire to perform well for your lover, you could find yourself broke, financially ruined and your partner not being served very well at all. There are some legitimate on-line places to shop for and buy Viagra and generics, but how do you know which ones are legitimate and which ones are scams to fleece you. This author’s suggestion is that you visit your doctor and have a prescription written and subsequently filled at a trusted pharmacy. This removes the threat of generic and dangerous knock offs, identity theft and paying for a product you don’t receive.
Let’s talk about some of the side effects of Viagra.
While they are not generally severe, they can be. It depends on the person and the dosages. Dizziness, head aches, and upset stomach are a few of the minor side effects you can expect and then you can experience other, more severe, side effects, such as, chest pains, loss of hearing and sight. These are not all the side effects that are possible and most people do not experience them to any great degree. This is something that should also be discussed with your doctor to be sure that you are a good candidate for Viagra.
Staying on the topic of side effects, let’s imagine this scenario. A man is experiencing ED and wants to do something about it and is too embarrassed to see his doctor. He goes on-line and searches through the variety of offerings there are. He does some price shopping and finds an attractive product and buys it. A few days later it arrives. What he is unaware of is that the manufacturer has no accreditation in the marketplace and due to poor quality control the dosage is not consistent. He takes the drug that evening planning a wonderful night of love making with his partner. What he does not know is that the pill he took was 50% higher in dosage than it was labeled and he has a heart condition. He dies. This is the message Viagra will need to keep in the consumer’s mind to stay in the game. Be Safe, don’t be Sorry.
Medical Practitioner (General Practice) with postgraduate diplomas in Cape Town. My special interest is erectile dysfunction.
