Recent Posts
Everything You Need to Know About Vivelle-Dot Generic
Ozempic vs. Mounjaro: The Differences Explained
How Long Does Estradiol Take to Work? A Complete Guide

Why is Viagra So Expensive?

Have you been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction and are stunned at the price of treatments? Were you surprised to find that Viagra and other leading medications for erectile dysfunction are so expensive?

There is no doubt about it. Even common medications like Viagra and Cialis still demand a price premium decades after their initial release. Depending on your location, Viagra prescriptions may be the most expensive of all of your medications.

But why is this the case?

In this article, we will walk through the main reasons why Viagra is still so expensive. We’ll talk about how you might be able to get around this cost as a patient and get your Viagra at a cheaper price. Read on to learn more about finding the most affordable option for obtaining Viagra.

How Much Is Viagra Per Pill?

The typical dose for Viagra is 50 mg. However, purchasing individual 50 mg pills will increase the overall price of a prescription. Many people choose to purchase a 100 mg tablet at approximately $75 (at the time of this writing) and then split the tablet in half for a dose that costs about $37.

Of course, drug prices change all the time and vary depending on where you pick up your prescription. Nonetheless, the price of Viagra has steadily increased and outpaced inflation since its release over two decades ago.

In 2013, the manufacturer of Viagra, Pfizer, lost patent protection in many European countries, and the flood of generics for Viagra entered the market.

This has drastically reduced the price of generic Viagra, or sildenafil. However, many patients still see branded Viagra as a premium product and are willing to pay up for the brand name. They can still purchase Viagra from cheaper sources; in Canada, the price of Viagra is approximately one-third the cost of that in the United States.

Healthcare Coverage for Viagra and Erectile Dysfunction Medications

One other reason why Viagra is so expensive is that many patients have to purchase it out of pocket. Many health insurance plans in the United States do not cover Viagra. Even though Viagra is a medication that is obtained directly through the healthcare system, many insurers do not see it as a drug that fulfills a medical need.

However, many patients are still able to use a flexible spending account or a health savings account to purchase this medication with pretax dollars. This does reduce the overall cost somewhat.

Overall, though, it is challenging for erectile dysfunction medication manufacturers to convince insurance companies that their medication should be covered.

This means that many patients will have to pay out-of-pocket for these medications. This increases the price overall because the cost of the medication is not offset by partial funding from the insurance company.

Why Do Drug Prices Continue to Increase?

Unfortunately, prescription drug prices, on the whole, have increased rapidly, faster than inflation in recent years. There isn’t much reason to believe that this trend will change anytime soon.

Drug companies try to maximize revenue while they still maintain the patent. Generics come to market and create price competition. The patent for Viagra ran out in 2020, however, the flood of generics still has not resulted in the price savings that many consumers wanted.

How Can I Get My Viagra Prescription at a Lower Price?

Whether or not you have insurance, there are ways to get your Viagra prescription at a lower price. As discussed, you can now purchase generic sildenafil which is the same medication without the branding. The FDA makes sure to review all generics to ensure that they work properly just like the brand-name drug does.

This means that you can switch to generic sildenafil and still see the same effects. The pill may look different than what you are used to, but it still works all the same.

You can get special discounts from online retailers, manufacturers, or membership clubs. These can significantly reduce the cost of branded Viagra. You simply apply the coupon at checkout at your local pharmacy and they will be able to reduce the cost of the medication significantly.

Canadian pharmacy retailers often provide medications at a significantly lower cost. For example, the cost of Viagra is approximately one-third the price of that in the US if you go through a Canadian retailer. If you are using Viagra frequently, this can lead to significant cost savings over the long term.

Talking to Your Doctor

You might also talk to your doctor about getting a larger prescription. Oftentimes pharmacies provide coupons or overall lower prices for medications that are bought in bulk.

You might also talk to your doctor about an alternative medication if Viagra is too expensive. Two other common erectile dysfunction treatments include Cialis and Levitra. Both of these medications when generic in recent years, and may provide significant cost savings over branded Viagra.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, Viagra is an expensive prescription to fill. However, the recent entry of generics into the market in the US and Europe is sure to have a downward effect on its price.

It’s important to know that you can get cheap medications at online pharmacy retailers, Canadian pharmacy groups, and other foreign mail order pharmacy suppliers.

At 90 Day Meds, we want to make sure that you get the lowest price for your medication. Check out our medications page to see how much less it costs to fill your Viagra prescription through our services.