Emergence of generic statins changing prescription patterns of doctors
When Merck’s blockbuster cholesterol-lowering agent, Zocor (simvastatin), lost patent protection last month, the move was expected to have a large impact on the statin market, affecting sales of not just Zocor but also the other major branded statins. As expected, new data show that generic competitors to simvastatin grabbed a big share of new prescriptions for cholesterol-lowering drugs, putting pressure on the biggest-selling Lipitor (atorvastatin, Pfizer).
“Generic statins have become for any patient who needs a standard amount of lipid lowering the default choice,” Dr Christopher Cannon (Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA) told heartwire. “For anyone with risk factors, such as an outpatient with high cholesterol, generic statins are usually the first choice. I’ve written tons of prescriptions so far.”
Zocor lost patent protection June 23, 2006, and immediately sales of the generic versions of simvastatin were on the upswing. In the last week of June, 49% of new statin prescriptions in the US were for the generic drugs, according to market research data published in the Wall Street Journal [1]. Although Merck has drastically cut the price of simvastatin to remain competitive, sales of Zocor fell 14% in the first week it came off patent. Generic drug maker Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries captured 32% of new prescriptions in the US in the first week, while Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, a company that has an agreement with Merck for making generic simvastatin, captured 14% of new prescriptions, the Journal reports.
“Having a relatively potent statin like simvastatin available as a generic is a step forward,” Dr Steven Nissen (Cleveland Clinic, OH) told heartwire. “There is no question. It means that people can be treated at less expense.”
This observations strongly suggests that we (the good guys) do make decisions to save patients money. While atorvastatin (Lipitor) may have a minor advantage over simvastatin, we do not judge that advantage significant enough to prevent switching patients to a generic excellent drug.
This story really makes me smile.
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1 Response to Yeah doctors!!! We do pay attention to costs!!
james
August 7th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
I don’t understand the hoopla. Generic simvastatin still costs $120 for 30 tabs. Brand Vytorin 10/40 for the same LDL lowering capacity is about $90 for 30 tabs. So where’s the savings again?