Pfizer Fights To Keep Lipitor From Going Generic

Out of all the statins on the market, Lipitor is probably the most commonly prescribed - and fairly pricey. Pfizer is the manufacturer of the drug, and its patent does not expire until 2010. Ranbaxy, a manufacturer of generic drugs based in India, has been developing a generic version of Lipitor, atorvastatin, which was to be ready for sale as soon as Pfizer's patent expired. Well, it appears that a generic version of Lipitor won't be available until late 2011.

Apparently, Pfizer has struck a deal with Ranbaxy so that, after Pfizer's patent expires, Ranbaxy will not release its generic version of Lipitor until the last months of 2011. Because of this, Pfizer gain over a years worth of profits from its brand name drug.

While Lipitor is not available in a generic yet, there are other statins available, such as Zocor (simvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), and Pravachol (pravastatin).

However, if you are on Lipitor and looking for a generic alternative to come out soon, you're going to have to wait a few more years.