Vladimir Putin’s hardman reputation flopped yesterday — as supplies of Viagra to Russia were suspended.
US pharma firm Viatris acted after business was hit by economic sanctions over the war in Ukraine.
Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade confirmed that supplies of the erectile dysfunction wonder drug was being axed by the American global pharmaceutical giant.
And Russian boffins were yesterday racing to produce their own version with the same “active ingredient”.
A ministry spokesman said: “Viatris LLC informed us about the suspension of the supply of the Viagra drug in the dosage form of a tablet.”
Russian companies making male impotence drugs have increased production by 11 per cent ahead of the ban and boosted sales by 15 per cent.
Viatris admitted “trade controls, sanctions, supply chain and staffing challenges and other economic considerations related to the conflict have impacted our operations”.
Bosses warned this “may negatively impact our financial results in future periods”.
A comment posted online after the story broke yesterday read: “This is a blow below the belt from the West against Putin and Russian men.”
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