Kiddie Viagra may get Pfizer a patent extension

NY Post ^ | 7/28/10 | PAUL THARP

[Libloather]

Kiddie Viagra may get Pfizer a patent extension
By PAUL THARP
Last Updated: 9:14 AM, July 28, 2010

Pfizer plans to sell a children's form of Viagra to treat a rare lung disorder as a humanitarian gesture -- in exchange for getting a six-month extension of its patent on the adult version.

The Food and Drug Administration approached Pfizer about using its drug to treat a lung ailment that affects about 600 kids a year.

Viagra, which modifies blood flows, could reduce unusually high blood pressure in a child's lungs, or pulmonary arterial hypertension. Symptoms include dizziness, chest pain and fatigue.

A panel of FDA advisers will determine on Thursday whether to green light the kid's version.

[A_Former_Democrat]

So more redistribution of wealth from the ED set?

[Tax-chick]

Viagra, which modifies blood flows, could reduce unusually high blood pressure in a child's lungs, or pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Would it do this by inducing unusually high blood pressure in the genitals?

[ClearCase_guy]

How do they define “child”? Because if we start giving viagra to 14-year-old boys, there might be a problem.

[a fool in paradise]

The Safe School Czar is sending these to the school nurse, no doubt. < / sarc >

[Lee'sGhost]

But if they let the patent expire the generic knockoffs would be plenty cheap enough to take care of those kids.

[Responsibility2nd]

How nice.

“Give us an extension on our patent, or 600 children will die!”

(Isn’t extension rather a poor choice of word?)

[a fool in paradise]

If Big Pharma had the lobbying team of Big Media, they would have 100 year extentions on their patents already.

[stormer]

[Libloather]

How do they define “child”?

I believe the Commiecare™ cutoff is at the age of 26.

[Pessimist]

Good point!

Crony capitalism (aka fascism) at its finest.

[Libloather]

How do they define “child”?

I believe the Commiecare™ cutoff is at the age of 26.

[VanDeKoik]

“How do they define “child”? Because if we start giving viagra to 14-year-old boys, there might be a problem”

Not to the 14-year-old boy...

[Mr Ramsbotham]

Because if we start giving viagra to 14-year-old boys, there might be a problem.

That would be similar to mounting a hat rack on a moose.

[Do Be]

Johnny: Daddy, why is my wee wee pointing at the ceiling?

Dad: Be grateful son. I couldn't do that until I was fourteen.

Johnny: My teacher noticed yesterday. She wants me to help her teach sex to the other kids.

Dad: You mean you and her demonstrate?

Johnny: Yeah, I think so. Is that bad?

Dad: It's never bad, son. But if you're nervous, I'll be happy to step in and pinch hit for you.

Johnny:That's okay, Dad. She told I was already getting an A and that if I help her, it's extra credit.

[antiRepublicrat]

This is completely reasonable. Constitutionally, we the people give the drug companies a limited-term monopoly on their drugs for the public interest. The patent is the carrot for the invention that helps us all. Here, the people (via the FDA) have decided we want the company to continue working on Viagra even though the patent is about to run out, removing incentive. So we give them incentive in the form of an extended patent.

Using Viagra for this is also not strange. A lot of drugs have quite effective off-label uses. Bupropion is a good example; designed for depression, but also helps people quit smoking. This is especially good since a lot of insurances won’t cover smoking-cessation drugs, but will cover antidepressants.

[ASOC]

5-[2-ethoxy-5-(4-methylpiperazin-1-ylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1- methyl-3-propyl-1,6-dihydro-7H-pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-7-one (Sildenafil citrate,)was first deveoped for use as a potent selective inhibitor of the enzyme phosphodiesterase (PDE-5), which destroys cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), itself a dilator of blood vessels in the body.

Developed for use to treat angina, the side effects were 'noteworthy'.

For the science impaired here on FR - this is not for 14 y/o boys on welfare...(how creepy to even think that) - rather, it is to meet a real need - to keep infantss alive in a NICU.

Here are some medical Journal entries for this medical use - Oral Sildenafil in Infants With Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn: A Pilot Randomized Blinded Study

Intravenous Sildenafil Lowers Pulmonary Vascular Resistance in a Model of Neonatal Pulmonary Hypertension

> Severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn in a setting where limited resources exclude the use of inhaled nitric oxide: Successful treatment with sildenafil

Sometimes a story posted is a chance to learn more rather than make snarky comments. OTOH, some stories do invite snarky comments - mostly those of a political nature.

Presented for your viewing and YMMV.

[justlurking]

A lot of drugs have quite effective off-label uses.

Other examples are finasteride (Propecia) and minidoxil (Rogaine). Both were found to promote hair growth (or reduce hair loss) in patients with male pattern baldness.

Finasteride is still used to treat enlarged prostate, and minidoxil is used to treat high blood pressure.

[vetvetdoug]

All jokes aside, viagra does a remarkable job in the neonates and children for this pulmonary condition. I use the drug in neonatal puppies that have the water baby syndrome and other puppies that appear to have lack of pulmonary expansion at birth.

[Slings and Arrows]

Sometimes a story posted is a chance to learn more rather than make snarky comments.

I can do both.