Levitra of benefit to diabetic men

Pharma Marketletter, June, 2004

Unlike the global erectile dysfunction drug market leader, Pfizer's Viagra (sildenafil), Bayer/GlaxoSmithKline's Levitra (vardenafil) appears to be of benefit to diabetic men, according to the results of studies presented at the American Diabetes Association in Orlando, Florida, a factor which could help the latter firms in their fight for market share of the huge ED market; Viagra's annual sales are in the region of $2 billion.

Men being treated for diabetes are three times more likely to have ED than those in the general population. In addition, more than 50% of diabetic men develop ED within 10 years of being diagnosed with diabetes, and the condition tends to be difficult to treat in diabetic men, notes a Bayer/GSK press statement.

Study results showed...