Is it cheaper to buy Sildenafil from Tesco or Boots?

Can you buy Sildenafil over the counter at Tesco and Boots? The short answer is “yes”, but it may not be the cheapest or most convenient way to do it. We take a look at the process of buying this treatment in Boots and other stores. But first, it helps to know a little bit of background.

In 2014, Pfizer's patent came to an end. This meant that other pharmaceutical companies could make erectile dysfunction drugs using the same active ingredient: Sildenafil.

For the consumer, this change in patent meant that, whilst the price of the blue pill itself remained relatively high, the unbranded alternatives were much cheaper, making Sildenafil more accessible and affordable to more people. The impact was instant, with a huge rise in Sildenafil prescriptions, and a corresponding drop in sales of counterfeit versions.

As a result, you can now buy Sildenafil over the counter from Tesco (only branches with a pharmacy), Boots, and many other high street stores and chemists. However, it is not always as simple as that.

Are Tescos or Boots Selling the Best Value Sildenafil?

Although this treatment is more readily available than it used to be, you still need a prescription. You can get a prescription for Sildenafil on the NHS if you suffer from erectile dysfunction; the branded version is only available under special circumstances, due to the difference in cost.

However, one NHS prescription usually provides four Sildenafil tablets at a flat rate of £9.65, so it may not be the most cost-effective method.

Buying Sildenafil from Boots and other chemists

It is possible for you to buy Sildenafil from a pharmacy following a consultation with the pharmacist; the price will include a consultation and may vary for different pharmacies, so it is worth calling your local pharmacy to find out their charges to prevent a wasted journey.

The pharmacist will ask you the same questions that Oxford Online Pharmacy ask in our consultation, to ensure that it is safe for you to take, and explain possible side effects of the drug.

Do Boots or Tescos sell ‘Pfizer's Connect’ version?

While you need a prescription for Sildenafil from Boots, Pfizer's Connect, which contains the same active ingredient as Sildenafil, is available to buy over the counter at most pharmacies. This clever manoeuvre from Pfizer helped them regain some of the market they lost when the patent expired by creating a new, over-the-counter substitute.

There are, however, generic alternatives; Eropid (Generic Connect) is cheaper than the branded counterpart. Whilst Connect and non-branded alternatives may offer convenience, they are only available in 50mg doses, whereas the prescription Sildenafil is available in 25mg, 50mg, or 100mg strength tablets.

Are Tesco, Boots or Superdrug selling the best value Sildenafil?

Pfizer's Connect Tablets

At the time of compiling this article, Boots was selling 8 Connect tablets for £38.99, and Superdrug for £38.50, compared to £31.97 when purchased from Oxford Online Pharmacy, and £26.99 for Eropid, the generic alternative to Pfizer's Connect.

Boots

• Pfizer's Connect x8 - £38.99

Superdrug

• Pfizer's Connect x8 - £38.50

Oxford Online Pharmacy

• Pfizer's Connect x8 - £31.97
• Eropid x8 (Generic Connect) - £26.99

Generic Pfizer Sildenafil Tablets

With our online doctor, you can get 8 Sildenafil 50mg tablets for £13.88 from Oxford Online, making it more than £2 cheaper per tablet than Pfizer's Connect.

At Boots, generic Sildenafil costs £26.99; in Superdrug, they come in slightly cheaper at £49.99 and £27.99, respectively.

As with many items, if you buy more non-branded products, it works out as better value, for example, a pack of 64 x 50mg Sildenafil tablets work out at just under £1 each compared to the same number of Branded Pfizer (Sildenafil), which costs £399.94, or £6.25 per tablet.

Boots

• Generic unbranded- Sildenafil 50mg x8 - £26.99

Superdrug

• Branded Sildenafil 50mg x8 - £49.99
• Generic Sildenafil 50mg x8 - £27.99

Oxford Online Pharmacy

• Generic Sildenafil 50mg x8 - £13.88 (£1.74 each)
• Generic Sildenafil 50mg x64 - £63.98 (£1 each)

Should I choose branded Pfizer or generic Sildenafil, and should I buy online or on the high street?

The active ingredient of Pfizer's Branded blue pill is Sildenafil, which means that both branded and non-branded tablets work in exactly the same way. The type and dosage of drug that you choose should be determined by several factors, including whether you have used Sildenafil before, your current health, your reason for needing the drug, and potential side effects. For this reason, it is important that you get the right advice from a prescribing medical professional so that you can be sure that your treatment plan is appropriate.

While buying Sildenafil from Tesco may seem convenient, you may wish to discuss your diagnosis and treatment in a more private manner. At Oxford Online Pharmacy, the process is simple and discreet; you complete an online form and one of our pharmacists will evaluate your situation and approve your request, ask for more information, or advise on a more appropriate alternative for you. If you choose express delivery, your tablets could be with you within 24 hours.

If you have any questions about erectile dysfunction treatment, please get in touch with one of our pharmacists.