Viagra and Cialis
Performance enhancers in China
Many men use Viagra or Cialis recreationally to boost their performance, and there is no legal restriction on buying them in China. The problem is that the market is flooded with counterfeits: the large majority of fake Viagra and Cialis seized in inspections worldwide originates here. Fake pills are not just wasted money — they are a genuine health risk, so it is worth knowing how to spot them.
The typical warning signs of counterfeit product are:
- Dubious sales channels — WeChat or QQ dealers, street sellers and the like.
- Poor-quality packaging; sometimes even the product name is misspelled.
- An extremely low price. Genuine Viagra and Cialis are expensive in China, so a bargain price is the strongest tell of all.
A general health note: sildenafil (Viagra) and tadalafil (Cialis) are prescription medicines in most of the world for good reason. Never combine them with nitrate-based medication, and talk to a doctor first if you have a heart condition.
Where to buy the real thing
Some licensed pharmacies still sell original Viagra and Cialis over the counter, without a prescription. A location in Jing'An District where this has worked reliably is the Lei Yun Shang Pharmacy:
静安区
长寿路1055号，近万航渡路
jìng'ān qū
chángshòu lù 1055 hào,
jìn wànhángdù lù
Show the Chinese address above to your taxi driver.
The shop is easy to find, directly to the left of a 24-hour store on this corner. Walk straight to the back of the store; the products are in the left corner of the glass counter. The staff speak basic English, so no Chinese is needed.
Price guide
Prices as last checked — treat them as an indication of what genuine product should cost, not a current quote:
Viagra
10 pills — RMB 965
5 pills — RMB 495
1 pill — RMB 128
Cialis
28 pills (5mg) — RMB 900
8 pills (20mg) — RMB 900
4 pills (20mg) — RMB 495
1 pill (20mg) — RMB 138
Licensed Chinese pharmacies nowadays also sell domestically produced generic sildenafil at a fraction of these prices. From a proper pharmacy — not a street dealer — the generic product is a perfectly reasonable alternative.