French drug maker Sanofi and Eli Lilly and Co have announced licensing deal for Cialis (tadalafil) over-the-counter (OTC) to treat erectile dysfunction.
With this development, the consumers may soon be able to buy the impotence drug directly from the pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription.
“The Cialis agreement reinforces consumer health care as a major growth platform for Sanofi,” Vincent Warnery, senior vice president of Sanofi’s global consumer health-care division, said in the statement.
Both the companies have not revealed the terms of licensing agreement.
According to the sources, Sanofi acquires exclusive rights to apply for approval of Cialis OTC in the US, Canada, Australia and Europe.
As per the companies, over-the-counter (OTC) Cialis could provide its easier access to impotence sufferers. Also, the agreement will help in checking the illicit online sale of fake or stolen Cialis.
Under the term, Sanofi will get the access to a drug that garnered $2.16 billion in sales last year.
An estimated 18 million to 30 million men are affected from erectile dysfunction. Moreover, experts say they are caused more often in men who are over the age of 40.
According to Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health, more than 18 million Americans older than age 20 suffer from erectile dysfunction.
The common reasons responsible for erectile dysfunction include heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, depression, stress and tobacco use.
