MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Viagra Patent Expires June 20, Rules Brazilian High Court

One of the world’s top selling drugs

Brazil's High Court of Justice ruled Wednesday that the Brazilian patent for the drug Viagra is due to expire June 20.

The ruling makes it possible to produce and sell a generic version of the drug Viagra® to treat erectile dysfunction within Brazil after that date.

The ruling was adopted by five votes to one. The court accepted the arguments of the National Institute of Industrial Property to overturn an earlier court decision that would have extended Pfizer's patent for Viagra until June 7, 2011.

Viagra is one of the world's top selling drugs, but Pfizer's worldwide patents are expiring in the coming years, allowing generic manufacturers to produce similar treatments. In Brazil, two Viagra tablets cost an estimated 67 Real (approximately 52 USD).