A patent over the active ingredient in Viagra held by drug company Pfizer has been overturned by the British High Court. The decision means rival drug companies can develop PDE5 inhibitors which can cure the problem of male impotence, however the specific compound that makes up Viagra is still protected. The ruling only affects Pfizer's patent in Britain but a corresponding action is being taken on a similar patent for the entire EU.
Viagra is amongst the drugs produced at Pfizer's facility in Ringaskiddy, County Cork, employing over 400 people. A spokeswoman for Pfizer said that the manufacturing operation was under no danger from the court's decision. She said that it could take Pfizer's rivals many years to bring a Viagra equivalent to market and said that there were many other drugs being manufactured in the Ringaskiddy plant.
