Erectile dysfunction

The market for drugs targeting erectile dysfunction (ED) grew by 3.5 per cent from 2004 to 2005 to total $1.95 billion (£0.97 billion), according to a study from Datamonitor.

This rise, the market analyst group claims, is set to continue even further as the patient population increases, driven by an ageing population, the rise in obesity and a decline in the taboo surrounding ED.

At present three brands dominate the market; Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. But Datamonitor's research claims that there are 21 other drugs at various stages in the research and development pipeline.

As the market grows, there could be different types of treatment available for men suffering from ED.

Datamonitor urology analyst Anna Nesbitt said that these may take other forms than pills.

"To be competitive, new [treatments] will need to be unique. Key differentiators that would be welcomed by both the prescribing community and sufferers alike include a different time of onset or duration of action," she said.

"Inhalers, provided they show comparable efficacy, would work well. They're easy to use, and would facilitate quicker onset. Additionally, once-a-day formulations may be useful to chronic patients, while a different subset of men can continue to take the agent as and when the need arises."

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