The makers of Viagra, Pfizer, have sought an injunction against an Auckland doctor who is infringing patent laws by importing a generic version of the medicine, manufactured in India.
Pfizer General Manager Mark Crotty said the company took the step only after providing the doctor with opportunities over several weeks to cease his infringing activities or to otherwise resolve this issue.
In February of this year he requested that Pfizer supply him directly with Viagra, Mr Crotty said, saying that if Pfizer did not supply him directly, he would import generic product from India.
“We advised him that this would infringe Pfizer’s patent covering Viagra and have reluctantly started legal proceedings.”
Mr Crotty said Pfizer will take whatever steps are necessary to protect its investment in innovative medicines such as Viagra.
Strong intellectual property laws are the lifeblood of the R & D business, protecting jobs and fuelling more research, Mr Crotty said.
It takes 12-15 years and costs $US800m to develop a new medicine so its an expensive and risky business.
By defying patent laws, people undermine the research-based medicines industry’s right to recoup a fair return for investment.
Mr Crotty said Pfizer had evidence of other people importing generic Viagra and the problem appeared not to be limited to individual doctors. He said Pfizer was examining its options for legal action against others.