‘Female Viagra’ goes on sale in the US
pharmafile | October 20, 2015 | News story | | Addyi, HSDD, Sprout, female viagra, flibanserin, hypoactive sexual desire disorder
The pill dubbed the female version of Viagra – Sprout Pharmaceuticals’ Addyi – has gone on sale in the US.
Addyi (flibanserin) is now available for acquired, generalised hypoactive sexual desire disorder, or HSDD, in premenopausal women in the US.
Sprout Pharma, a division of Valeant Pharmaceuticals following a $1 billion takeover deal, is able to launch the once-daily, non-hormonal pill after gaining FDA approval in August.
“Finally, all women who have been waiting for a medical treatment option can now make their own decision with their healthcare provider if Addyi is right for them,” said Sprout Pharmaceuticals chief executive Cindy Whitehead. “With our availability nationwide today, we are proud of our affordable and innovative programs to offer Addyi for as little as $20 per prescription.”
The firm, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, is planning to offer two avenues of affordable access for women. The company has also put in place a training program for health care prescribers and pharmacies to enrol in a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program – as stipulated by the FDA.
Dr Karen Boyle, urologic surgeon at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, says: “Acquired, generalised HSDD is the most common sexual complaint that I see among women in my practice, so having Addyi as an option for them is game changing. It’s my belief that Addyi marks a new era for women and couples to have an honest conversation about what’s happening for her in the bedroom. I think we’ll see the positive effects of this dialogue well beyond medicine.”
Lilian Anekwe
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