post Thursday November 29, 2012
The Court suggested that Pfizer attempted to “game” the system, holding a patent without adequately disclosing the compound for the drug. Pfizer’s patent statement listed several compounds, but only stating: “one of the especially preferred compounds induces penile erection in impotent males”. However, Pfizer conducted tests and the result shows that sildenafil was the only key compound to treat erectile dysfunction.
Under Canadian patent rules, the inventor is granted exclusive rights “in a new and useful invention for a limited period in exchange for disclosure of the invention so that society benefit from this knowledge.”
According to CTV News, the price of the drug dropped following the ruling from about $49 to $37 per four pills, opening up the competition in the market. This allows the generic drug makers, such as Teva Pharmaceuticals, to enter the Canadian market. The lowered price for the generic Viagra will benefit the local consumers.
Source: CTV News, Business Insider
Image: Free Digital Photos
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