Hit below the waist… The American pharmaceutical company Viatris has announced that it is stopping sales Viagra (of the drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction) in Russia, the Ministry of Industry and Trade told the Interfax news agency.

However, the Russian Ministry stated that the technological possibility has been secured for the production of a preparation corresponding to the active chemical sildenafil. Preparations based on this substance are also produced by other companies.

According to the State Register of Medicines, more than 40 registration certificates for drugs with this active substance have been issued in Russia. Eight companies produce sildenafil in Russia and these drugs are available in pharmacies, the ministry said.

As part of the state program, the Ministry of Industry and Trade assures that a plan to organize and conduct clinical trials of a medicine with sildenafil in the form of tablets has been supported. It has been approved and is being sold as normal, the Ministry of Industry and Trade added.

Based on the results of the three quarters of 2022 the production of medicines based on sildenafil in Russia it increased by 11% and sales by 15%, according to Interfax.