Viagra debuted on the market in 1998 and since then it has revolutionized the world of erectile dysfunction market. it is surprising enough that a truly effective anti-ED drug was discovered that late. At the same time, according to the research conducted by Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2007 the amount of men suffering from various forms of ED in the US equaled approximately 18 million.
It is believed that erectile dysfunction is more likely to develop in economically successful regions; however, according to independent researches, the prevalence of the issue in developed and developing countries varies from 9 to 17% of adult male population (Russia, Turkey, Brazil, etc.). Until recently, the only more or less effective treatment options were narrowed to natural and herbal remedies. With the emergence of Viagra, the problem has been solved, but only partially, and here’s why.
Original Tablet is Very Expensive
Paying $20 – $25 per pill of Viagra (the information is taken from a prominent resource – drugbank.ca) is still not an option for the majority of those suffering from erectile dysfunction.
If we are talking about a long-term treatment course required to be initiated several times per year, we are not even talking about hundreds, but about thousands of dollars. Taking into account the fact that erectile dysfunction is rarely observed as a disease flowing without more complicated problems, the monthly expenses can go off-scale. ED typically develops on the background of diabetes, atherosclerosis, hypertension and other serious conditions that demand costly ongoing treatment.
The manufacturers explain their pricing model by the fact that a commercial release of such a preparation costs around $1bn., and to maintain its activity the business needs to generate return on investments. Nevertheless, it is known that more than 50% of expenses on production are not associated with scientific work or technological processes. A better part of investments goes for marketing and sales campaigns, and there is plenty of evidence that sales and marketing personnel premiums are way considerably higher than the ones in scientific personnel.
Fortunately for millions of people, a decent alternative is already there. You can take advantage of generic preparations that are not inferior to the original meds and cut down your expenses by up to 500%.
Generic salvation
A generic preparation is based on the same active ingredient as the original, but the dosage, and the name of the full composition differ. Some generics virtually match with the originals and undergo (albeit not as extensive) clinical studies – thus, the selection of generic drugs is way more diverse: the other components may be introduced, the dosage of the active substance can be modified and etc. Unfortunately for patients, the quality of cleaning the impurities of the active substance may also be different – and this is where branded medications are, of course, more preferable. According to statistics, up to 80% of medicines in China and Russia are generics, in the Dutch, German and the UK markets the share of generics reaches 50%, just like in the United States.
So let’s sum up the advantages and weak points of generic drugs:
Pros | Cons |
Generic medications’ scope of action is oftentimes way more diverse. | The cleanliness of the formulation in generic drugs may be insufficient. |
Generics are cheaper (30 – 500%) in comparison with original meds. | Auxiliary components can be toxic or cause side effects. |
Generic provide the comparable effectiveness in comparison with the original drug. | There may be an allergy to the drug and complications of drug administration. |
Generic can solve on their own, instead of choosing what enforces advertising. | The effects on the body be stronger or weaker due to changes in formulation. |
By the standards of the rate of absorption, distribution in the blood and tissues, and other indicators of the impact of generics may differ by 15-20%, while the amount of impurities accounts for up to 32%. But this does not mean that generic drugs are ineffective or harmful. This way or the other, pharmaceutical companies are not interested in lawsuits from patients, so safety of their customers and the quality of products are paramount for them (at the very least, it can be said about large firms, corporations, and well-known manufacturers). Therefore, when choosing a generic, pay close attention to manufacturer.
Unfortunately, the list of cons is not full – getting a quality generic drug through the web is a complicated task, yet it is solvable, and here is how.
Choosing a drugstore aggregator over conventional shops
Globalization of online ecommerce didn’t actually touch pharmaceuticals industry – the area could have profited from creation of Amazon and Aliexpress-scale enterprises, but there are no prerequisites for the emergence of platforms of such scope. This way or the other, it would be a way less risky affair to make a choice in favour of local aggregators of pharmaceuticals offers. Considering the example of Canadian pharmacies is a decent example: you can choose from hundreds of offers by numerous drugstores, but your choice is thoroughly protected by the terms and conditions and privacy policy.
To get represented at the aggregation platform, a drugstore needs to comply with the rules and requirements, and they are many:
- The business should have a legal address and hold the certificates and permits to conduct business officially
- The company should confirm the supply capabilities to last during at least 6 months
- The drugstore should offer a variety of common payment methods and ensure the payments are made at merchant websites
- The pharmacy should offer a number of delivery options and at least one option that doesn’t go beyond 8 days
- The drugstore should run a user-friendly, easy to interact with website
- The company should comply with a long list of administrative requirements
So when you shop at such a platform, you can be sure that the offers you see are provided by the firms that have at least passed a tough verification process, the activities of which are closely monitored, and in the event of any significant or recurrent violations of rules their agreement would be ceased shortly.
List of Actions that Can Contribute to Preventing Erectile Dysfunction
Because so many health concerns can cause ED, it’s essential to know what to do to minimize the chances of developing this uncomfortable condition. These recommendations will help you avoid erectile problems in the future:
- Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity causes a great number of health issues including diabetes, which can negatively affect the nerves responsible for the supply of blood to the genitals. Moreover, overweight people tend to have higher blood pressure and suffer from cardiovascular diseases.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Excessive consumption of alcohol impacts all the systems in the body and leads to hormonal changes, liver problems, and nerve damage, which can gradually lead to erectile dysfunction.
- Check cholesterol levels. High levels of cholesterol have a negative impact on the blood vessels preventing the blood from passing through in the sufficient amount. Overweight people are particularly prone to having high cholesterol, but those who don’t suffer from obesity can still be affected. Regular cholesterol checks can help you catch any problem early on and avoid erectile problems caused by this factor.
- Quit smoking. Among other things, this harmful habit leads to the constriction of blood vessels, thus preventing the blood from flowing freely and leading to erectile problems.
- Exercise. Regular physical activity not only helps keep up your energy levels, but it positively influences your entire body. Exercises help prevent cardiovascular diseases, obesity and also contribute to reducing the influence of stress, which can negatively affect your ability to enjoy your sex life.
- Maintain a balanced diet. Making sure that you eat a healthy diet is crucial to avoid erectile problems. It’s not surprising that a diet that is harmful to your heart will also cause sexual health concerns. If you want to maintain a healthy sexual function, you should stay away from processed, fried, and fatty foods as much as possible. Instead, your diet should always include a variety of fruit, whole grains, vegetables and healthy fats that can be found in nuts and fish.
- Check your prostate gland. It’s essential to visit a urologist at least once a year, especially as you get older. Checking your prostate takes only several minutes, but it can save you from prostate cancer and ED that can be caused by the enlargement of this gland.
- Remember about testosterone levels. Healthy levels of testosterone are crucial for men’s health, but after the age of 40 men begin to experience a reduction of this hormone. The symptoms of low testosterone may include depression, low sex drive, and erectile problems. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should visit a medical advisor that can help you regulate the level of hormones.
- Take care of your psychological health. According to the statistics, psychological factors comprise a large part of ED causes, which means that taking care of one’s mental health should be your priority. In case you already experience the symptoms of depression, you should consult a medical professional so that this problem doesn’t disturb your sex life.
- Get enough sleep. This essential part of our lives is often underestimated, especially by younger men who tend to disregard a healthy sleep in favor of their work or entertainment. However, not getting enough sleep can affect your nocturnal erections and a severe lack of sleep gradually leads to ED.
Disclaimer
We try to publish reliable and up-to-date materials. At the same time, we cannot give any guarantee regarding the posted materials. All materials and publications on this website are posted for general informational purposes only. Remember that even a thorough study of the instructions is not a reason to replace a visit to the doctor with self-treatment. All responsibility for the consequences of treatment without a doctor’s prescription lies with you. If you feel any changes in your health or symptoms, consult your doctor. Any data from our website or other data source should not be used to make decisions about changing a dose, changing a drug, or stopping treatment. The website administration is not responsible for the misuse of information on the website. |