Can You Still Find Viagra Samples?

January 08, 2021

4 mins

Finding free drug samples is not as common as it once was, but some doctors still have samples of new medications to offer patients. These samples are typically provided by pharmaceutical companies as a way to introduce patients and doctors to their latest treatments. 

When Viagra® (sildenafil) hit the market in 1998, following its FDA approval and launch by Pfizer, it quickly became a medical phenomenon. As the first oral medication to effectively treat erectile dysfunction, Viagra revolutionized ED treatment and became a household name almost overnight.

Over time, Viagra played a role in reducing the stigma around ED, empowering millions of men to openly address their sexual health. It’s no wonder – more than 30 million men in the U.S. have experienced ED at some point.

Back in the day, free Viagra samples – along with free Cialis and Levitra samples – were readily available in many doctors’ offices. But times have changed, leaving many men wondering: can you still get free Viagra samples today?

Revitalize your intimacy discreetly.

Explore our ED treatment options.

Get Started

How Free Viagra Samples Were Possible

Free samples of medications were once a common strategy for pharmaceutical companies. New drugs – especially those protected by patents – give drug manufacturers a period of exclusivity. For about 10 years, these manufacturers face no competition from generic versions of the same medication. Without direct competitors, these companies can set higher prices for their medications, reaping significant profits.

Offering free samples during that period is a tactful business move. If a patient tries the medication for free, finds it effective, and sees improvements in their quality of life, they're more likely to continue using it long-term. 

When a drug’s patent expires, generic manufacturers often enter the market, slashing prices by up to 95%. Yet, even at just 5% of the original price, generic companies are still making a profit. That tells you just how inexpensive it is to produce many medications.

This enormous margin allows pharmaceutical companies to absorb the initial cost of free samples, knowing they’ll more than make up for it later. These early "loss leaders" ensure future revenue streams, making the strategy a win-win for manufacturers and patients alike – at least during the patent-protected years.

Where To Get Viagra Samples Today

Today, things are a little different.

For starters, doctor's offices give out far fewer free drug samples than they did twenty years ago when Viagra was approved.

That's due to a number of factors – doctor's no longer get many of the same perks they used to from drug salespeople, like expensive dinners out, vacation getaways, etc. The way drug companies influence doctors with gifts is much more regulated, and many health systems in the U.S. have simply banned free drug samples. 

Second, the price of Viagra and generic sildenafil versions are much lower than originally, meaning that free samples don't work so well for drug manufacturers and drug salespeople. When Viagra launched in 1998, a single dose cost over $100! Pfizer could afford to give out free Viagra samples because when patients then purchased more doses at full price, the margin more than made up for the free products. 

Today, you can get DOZENS of doses of generic sildenafil (Viagra's active ingredient**) for the same price that you once bought a single** dose.

All that has led to a quick reduction in how much free sampling happens from drug companies. From 2007 to 2012 drug sampling fell by 25%, and two-thirds of medical schools had restricted sampling. That trend has only continued.

Viagra Samples Online 

Twenty years ago drug representatives could give doctor's free Viagra sample packs for their patients who wanted to try it (and were a good fit physically). 

Today, the economics just aren't the same. Pfizer was selling over $2 BILLION of Viagra each year in its heyday – losing a few bucks on some free samples wasn't a big deal. 

Thanks to generic drug companies and the loss of patents on key ED drugs starting in 2017, today guys can get cheap ED pills without needing a free sample. 

For example, Rex MD's telehealth platform helps guys get a generic Viagra sample pack with an included physician consultation FREE with their membership... for as low as $2 per pill.

For less than a tank of gas, guys can get a physician's prescription and generic Viagra samples shipped to their door in discreet packaging, with no copays and no hassles. 

Generic Viagra sample packs are available at Rex MD for rock-bottom prices partly because we've cut so much of the fat off of the traditional healthcare system: low overhead, specialization in men's health, a top-notch online pharmacy partner, and a licensed physician visit done virtually.

With Rex MD, men can access a licensed U.S. physician and, if approved, receive generic and branded ED medications right at home. Sample packs of generic sildenafil are a great place to start for most guys who want a low-commitment way to treat ED.

In many ways with Rex MD, it's easier than ever.

Click here to get started with a sample pack of your own, if appropriate.