Pfizer’s Viagra, the longest-established oral product in this therapy area, continues to be the most well-known erectile-dysfunction brand, scoring 98 per cent of GP awareness.
But GP awareness of Lilly’s Cialis – which only launched last year, four years after Viagra’s debut – has surged from 84 per cent (PRWeek, 27 February) to 93 per cent.
GPs are now more likely to prescribe the Lilly brand as a result of promotional messages than they are to prescribe Viagra, according to the data.
Fifty-five per cent of GPs are more likely to prescribe Cialis (up from 49 per cent in February’s chart), with Viagra scoring 54 per cent (up from 51 per cent in February).
NOP World Health surveyed 201 GPs online via GP Net Surveys.
Eighty per cent of GPs are aware of Bayer’s erectile-dysfunction brand Levitra – a significant leap from 62 per cent last time PRWeek focused on this area – while awareness of Abbott’s Uprima brand has moved more slowly upwards, from 68 per cent to 73 per cent.
But just 23 per cent of GPs are more likely to prescribe Levitra as a result of promotional messages for the product, with Uprima’s score in this regard a lowly ten per cent.
NOP senior research executive Jude Ryall said: ‘While Viagra continues to be the market leader within this therapy area, Cialis is emerging as an effective competitor.’
She added: ‘Levitra is not currently faring so well by comparison and it is evident that Bayer needs to raise the profile of this product with GPs in order to increase usage and ensure a stronger market position.’
