In a decision that was expected, the group of Chinese companies that make imitation Viagra using the compound sildenafil are going to file an appeal arguing that the court decision allowing the Pharmaceutical company Pfizer the sole right to sell an impotence drug using sildenafil was flawed. Ukmedix has previously reported on the court decision that will set a precedent for all companies imitating western drugs and any other products in China.

Originally the Patents Office in China had given permission for 13 other companies to make erectile dysfunction medication using sildenafil and Pfizer had challenged this in court and won after a long drawn out battle.

The lawyers representing the Chinese drug companies said that they will be filing the appeal with the Chinese courts on Monday June 19th after intensive legal arguements are prepared over the weekend. Some of the big names of the Chinese pharmaceutical industry are included in the appeal like Jilin Pharmaceutical and Guangzhou Baiyunshan Pharmaceutical.

Viagra it is estimated is used by well over 20 million men in the world and is an incredible success for the company Pfizer. China is the biggest single market worldwide and the importance of getting the patent established and enforced can't be underestimated. Pfizer will be fighting the appeal very strongly and both sides are aware that it is not just millions that are at stake but billions of dollars in the long run.

Viagra was the first drug to come onto the market to really be able to cure erectile dysfunction and while it is not considered expensive in the western world in countries like China where salaries are lower it still remains out of reach for many men and this creates an opportunity for other companies to make cheaper imitations.