BRAZIL: SALES OF VIAGRA BOOMING [Upub5m4ASik]

BRAZIL: SALES OF VIAGRA BOOMING [Upub5m4ASik]

| 1h 28m 28s | Video has closed captioning.

(13 Jun 1999) Portuguese/Nat One year after Viagra was launched in Brazil, the so-called miracle pill has become one of the biggest selling drugs in the country's history. Over five million pills have been taken by Brazilian men since it's introduction last June. For many, Brazil is the capital of sun, samba and sex. When Viagra was introduced one year ago, you would have been forgiven for thinking that Brazilian men would turn their backs on the miracle pill - seeing it as an unnecessary addition to their already sizzling lifestyle. But on the contrary, Viagra has taken off. Over five million pills have been bought in its first year on the market - and it shows no sign of slowing. So far the manufacturers of the male impotence drug, Pfizer, have made nearly 30 (m) million U-S dollars profit in Brazil alone. Brazil was the second country to put the drug on the market - after the United States - and over 100 thousand men in Brazil now take Viagra on a regular basis. But despite its success, not everyone will admit to needing it. SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) "No. I would not take it. Why? I am still young, aren't I?" SUPER CAPTION: Roberto dos Santos, Drainage Worker SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) "I would admit (to taking Viagra). I don't see any shame in admitting something that I have the need to take. It's a physical deficiency that you are getting through isn't it? I think it's normal to talk about it." SUPER CAPTION: Jose Carlos Araujo, Accountant SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) "I haven't taken it yet but I would take it without any problem. I think it's the discovery of the century for men." SUPER CAPTION: Helio Santos, Businessman This chemist in downtown Rio de Janeiro sells on average 12 boxes per day. Each box contains four pills and is priced at between 55 and 60 reals - approximately 25 U-S dollars. But even the cost is not deterring buyers, who have to see a doctor first to get a prescription. Ten percent of all men visiting doctors now ask for help with impotence. SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) "Normally they wait for a moment when the counter is empty, with no-one around, then they hand over their prescription. The pick up the medicine discreetly and go straight to the cashier, without saying anything." SUPER CAPTION: Odelio de Aguiar, Pharmacist In a recent study on Viagra in Brazil, 82 percent of men claim to have improved their sexual performance after taking the medicine. And it's not only older men who are turning to Viagra. After Pfizer, spent one-point-three million (m) dollars on an advertising campaign, younger men are now resorting to the pill. Of the 100 thousand men currently using the pill, 30 thousand don't suffer from any form of impotence. SOUNDBITE: (Portuguese) "It's true. There is a very significant percentage of individuals that come to us, or to other specialists, trying to experience the medicine even if they don't have a specific complaint with a sexual disfunction. They come to us looking for the possibility of improving their performance. And, actually, the results show a significant improvement on their performance." SUPER CAPTION: Doctor Luiz Carlos Miranda, Urologist The growing success of Viagra in Brazil has led Pfizer to consider setting up a manufacturing laboratory in Sao Paulo to produce it nationally. Brazil would also act as an export centre for the rest of Latin America. And with sales continuing to climb every month, the success story seems set to continue. Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: ​​ Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive: