Haisco Launches China's First Generic Avanafil Tablets in Collaboration with Ali Health Pharmacy

Starting September 6, Haisco’s avanafil tablets (Chinese brand name: Haichi), the first generic PDE-5 inhibitor in China, officially launched on the “Men’s Health Center” of Alibaba Health Pharmacy. Alibaba Health will also collaborate with Haisco to provide supporting services for users, including popular science education on men’s health, online consultations, and medication guidance.

Figure: Ali Health’s online “Andrology Center” page

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common andrological condition. However, due to the social stigma surrounding ED, it has long been a sensitive and unspoken issue for many male patients. According to data from the Chinese Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Andrological Diseases and Expert Consensus, ED primarily affects men over the age of 40, with prevalence increasing with age. The overall prevalence of ED among adult urban males in Beijing, Chongqing, and Guangzhou was 26.1%, with a prevalence rate of 40.2% among those aged 40 and above. In addition to age and unhealthy lifestyle habits, ED is also influenced by cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and long-term medication use.

In the treatment of male erectile dysfunction (ED), oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors are the preferred first-line therapy. Whether for organic ED caused by vascular endothelial damage or psychogenic ED resulting from psychological factors, PDE-5 inhibitors such as avanafil typically provide significant improvement.

According to the Phase III clinical data research report, Haichi Avanafil is a next-generation PDE-5 inhibitor. Compared with common PDE-5 inhibitors, avanafil features rapid onset of action, high safety profile, and compatibility with alcohol consumption.

It is reported that phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) has multiple isoenzymes in the body, and inhibition of these isoenzymes by PDE5 inhibitors may lead to adverse reactions, most commonly involving PDE1, PDE6, and PDE11. Avanafil exhibits significantly higher selectivity for PDE5 over PDE1, PDE6, and PDE11, thereby reducing or avoiding adverse reactions associated with the inhibition of these off-target isoenzymes. Compared with other PDE5 inhibitors, avanafil offers a superior safety profile, with a lower incidence of adverse events such as cardiovascular effects (e.g., hypotension), visual disturbances, back pain, and myalgia.

Furthermore, the report indicates that avanafil needs to be taken only 15 minutes in advance and can be consumed with alcoholic beverages. Avanafil at various doses significantly improves erectile function in patients with mild to severe ED, as well as in diabetic patients with ED.

This March, Haichi^®Avanafil has received formal approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), becoming the first domestically produced generic version in China. It was officially launched exclusively on Alibaba Health Pharmacy in September. This product fills a gap in the field of men's health in China and provides a new treatment option for male erectile dysfunction (ED).

Starting September 6, users can open the Taobao app and search for “AliHealth Pharmacy.” On the page, they can find the “Men’s Health” entry under the “Health Care Center” section to access information on the prevention and treatment of andrological diseases, conduct online self-assessments, consult experts and pharmacists, and purchase medications.