Pfizer have won the right to be the sole seller of Viagra in China

A Beijing court overturned a 2004 decision by China's patent review board that permitted the Chinese drugmakers to sell fake and unlicensed generic viagra.

Pfize spokesman Paul Fitzhenry said in a telephone interview on Saturday.

The ruling will benefit Pfizer because it may mean better patent protection for the 20 drugs it plans to start selling in China by 2010, Fitzhenry said.

"We see the decision as an encouraging development for all knowledge-based companies like Pfizer who want to bring innovative products like Viagra, to the Chinese market," Fitzhenry said.

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