Viagra, a best-seller for Pfizer Malaysia

The erectile dysfunction drug Viagra (sildenafil) has become one ofPfizer Malaysia's biggest sellers since it was launched in that country over two years ago, according to the company's chief executive, Radzmi Rahmat, who added that the pill currently accounts for about 20% of annual pharmaceutical sales. When the product was first being rolled-out, Mr Radzmi described the sales potential of the drug as "mind boggling," suggesting that domestic turnover could reach over $260 million annually.

Viagra was among Pfizer's three best-selling drugs in Malaysia last year, he says, the others being the cholesterol-lowerer Lipitor (atorvastatin) and the anti-hypertensive Norvasc (amlodipine). Together, they contributed about 60% of the company's revenue last year. Mr Radzmi said Pfizer Malaysia expects its sales of pharmaceutical products to increase 30% this year, which is down from the 50% rise reported for 2000.

Pfizer began operations in Malaysia about 37 years ago and currently distributes more than 30 pharmaceutical products in the country. It plans to introduce further compounds through its R&D center, the first of which will be antimigraine, antipsychotic and analgesic drugs.