Generic producers line up as Viagra patent expires

By the time Chinese patent rights for Viagra expired last May, nearly 20 domestic medicine companies had already lined up with applications to the national food and drug administration for production of generic versions.

Guangzhou Baiyuanshan Pharmaceutical Holdings Co is the first to be given the green light.

The company announced at a press conference on Sept 18 that it will start selling generic sildenafil citrate - the active ingredient in Viagra - in late October.