Viagra

Thousands of inventions and discoveries in all fields of science have been made either by mistake, accident, or through secondary research. It is extremely commonplace to find that an object or idea may have a secondary and more viable use. Things such as X-rays, microwaves, stainless steel, and even fireworks were discovered by accident. I have chosen to report on the invention of one of the most common over-the-counter drugs in the world, Viagra. Originally meant to treat heart conditions, Viagra was discovered to have a secondary use. Invented and distributed by Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company Viagra was originally known as Sildenafil. The pill was made to treat heart disease known as hypertension angina pectoris as well as chest pains. Hypertension angina pectoris is caused by pore blood flow through the blood vessels of the heart. The test subjects for the drug were patients at Morriston Hospital in Swansea, Wales. The test trials were studied by Ian Osterloh who concluded that the pill had very little effects on the treatment of angina. However, an interesting detail was noted that subjects who received the drug had increased blood flow to the penile region.

Soon realizing that Sildenafil could be used to treat erectile dysfunction, Pfizer renamed the drug Viagra, and had it patented in 1996. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug’s use as a remedy for erectile dysfunction on March 27th, 1998. It became available to be sold later in the year as a prescription medication, breaking new ground as the 1st oral drug in the USA used to treat erectile dysfunction. It quickly became a massively successful product recording over $1 Billion in sales over its 1st 3 years on the market. It has been consistently dominant in the drug industry every year since. Viagra began being marketed by Pfizer through commercials on US television and hired prominent figures such as US senator Bob Dole and soccer star Pelé to endorse the product.