Pfizer Celebrates Sixth Anniversary of Viagra(reg) by Unveiling New Patient Savings Program

Main Category: Erectile Dysfunction / Premature Ejaculation
Article Date: 15 Apr 2004 - 0:00 PST

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NEW YORK -- In celebration of the sixth anniversary of the launch of Viagra(reg) (sildenafil citrate), Pfizer Inc today announced the launch of an innovative new savings program called The Value Card for Viagra. The new program offers men a convenient way to get a free Viagra prescription every time they fill six eligible prescriptions.

"This unique savings program gives the more than 30 million men with erectile dysfunction, or ED, a new reason to talk to their physicians about sexual health," said Steven Lamm, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, New York University.

Enrolling in The Value Card for Viagra Program

To maximize the options men have when deciding where to fill their prescriptions, The Value Card for Viagra program will be offered at more than 33,000 retail pharmacies, including Eckerd(reg), Rite-Aid(reg), Kroger(reg), K-Mart(reg), Duane Reade(reg), Costco(reg), Medicine Shoppe(reg) Pharmacies, Target(reg), Long's(reg), Giant Food(reg) (PA), Giant Food(reg) (MD), Stop & Shop(reg), Bi-Lo(reg), Brunos(reg), Tops Markets(reg), Happy Harry's(reg), Giant Eagle(reg), Brooks(reg) and other participating chain and independent pharmacies. Enrollment information and temporary cards are currently available at these pharmacies; this information will also be available at thousands of physicians' offices across the country.

A patient can use the temporary card to fill his first prescription and then must officially enroll in The Value Card for Viagra program by calling 1-800-578-1688. Enrollment is also offered at Viagra.com. Pharmacists can obtain program and enrollment information by calling 1-800-522-7487. The program may not be offered in some areas or at some pharmacies.

Once enrolled in the program, participants receive The Value Card for Viagra, which should then be presented each time they fill or refill a qualifying Viagra(reg) (sildenafil citrate) prescription. After the sixth prescription is filled, the seventh can be filled free of charge. Men who pay for their entire prescription or part of their prescription not covered by insurance are eligible for the program. Pills obtained with a co-payment will not count for this program, nor will pills obtained via Medicare-endorsed discount programs, or via Pfizer patient assistance programs such as the Pfizer Share Card(reg), Connection to Care(reg), or Sharing the Care(reg).

"Viagra, the most-prescribed ED treatment, has six years of proven safety and efficacy," said Sharlea Leatherwood, Pharm. D., independent pharmacy owner. "The Value Card for Viagra makes it possible for more men to take advantage of this breakthrough treatment, enabling them to easily and quickly enroll at participating pharmacies and doctors' offices across the country, as well as online or by telephone."

The Number One Prescribed Oral ED Treatment

Since its introduction in 1998, 23 million men have been prescribed Viagra(reg) (sildenafil citrate) for ED. Furthermore, in a long-term, open-label clinical trial, 96% of men reported satisfaction with Viagra, which is covered by most health plans.

"Six years ago, Viagra initiated the dialogue about men's sexual health, including erection problems-an important and still under-treated health problem experienced to some degree by an estimated 30 million men," said Janice Lipsky, U.S. Team Leader, Viagra. "Today, physicians put their trust in Viagra as an ED medication that affords men performance when they need it. There's no other tablet proven to work better or faster to treat ED."

About Viagra

Viagra is a prescription medication indicated for the treatment of ED. Viagra is available only from health care providers and should always be used in accordance with its approved labeling. Viagra is contraindicated in patients who use nitrates in any form at any time.

Patients should discuss their general health status with their doctors to ensure that they are healthy enough to engage in sexual activity. If patients experience pain, nausea, or any other discomfort during sex, or an erection that lasts longer than four hours, they should seek medical help.

The most common side effects of Viagra(reg) (sildenafil citrate) are headache, facial flushing and upset stomach. Less commonly, bluish vision, blurred vision or sensitivity to light may briefly occur.

Patients with recent serious cardiovascular events, hypertension or controlled hypertension or retinitis pigmentosa did not participate in pre-approval clinical trials. In these patients, physicians should prescribe Viagra with caution. The use of Viagra offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Discovered and developed by Pfizer, Viagra is the breakthrough oral treatment for erectile dysfunction that is found to be effective and well tolerated in more than 130 completed and ongoing clinical studies. Viagra has been approved by regulatory authorities in more than 123 countries around the world and is among the most widely prescribed medications, with more than 130 million prescriptions written for 23 million men worldwide.

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures and markets leading prescription medications for humans and animals and many of the world's best-known consumer products.

www.viagra.com

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