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Lipitor Watch: Pfizer Hangs On To Share, But At What Cost?

 
• By Wendy Diller

As the world enters the seventh week of generic atorvastatin, Pfizer has clearly managed to hang on to more share for the brand than it would have under a more traditional, less aggressive strategy. But there was never anything traditional about Lipitor to begin with, so it remains an open question whether another brand firm could reproduce Pfizer’s success, or even its approach, in the face of an exclusivity loss.

SAN FRANCISCO – The post-Lipitor world is evolving as expected, with the brand retaining 37% to 38% share of total prescriptions, and price discounting in line with other, similar generics launches, according to CEOs of both Pfizer Inc. and Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc.

“It’s difficult to hold on to more than that, due to pressures on pharmacies to substitute [generics],” Pfizer CEO Ian...

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More from United States

US FDA To Advisory Committee Industry Reps: Don’t Talk Too Much

 
• By Sue Sutter

Nonvoting industry representative’s presence at Pediatric Advisory Committee meeting was required by statute, the agency said, a de facto acknowledgement that an April directive precluding industry reps from sitting on advisory committees has had little practical effect.

New US FDA Biologics License Pathway Could Be Missing Link To Reduce Animal Testing

 
• By Bridget Silverman

Akin to the 505(b)(2) NDA, a new biologic pathway could reduce the need for animal testing, FDA toxicologist says. Expanded use of generally accepted scientific knowledge (GASK), which few sponsors have attempted despite a 2023 draft guidance, would also help.

Capricor Gets Complete Response For DMD Cell Therapy: Unconvincing Data Or New Attitude At FDA?

 
• By Joseph Haas

Seven weeks before its action date and after a month after an advisory committee was hastily cancelled, Capricor gets a CRL for its cell therapy deramiocel in DMD-related cardiomyopathy citing efficacy and manufacturing concerns. It has a Phase III study nearing readout, though.

ANDA User Fees: Complex Generics, Transparency, Communications Are Early Negotiation Targets

 
• By Sue Sutter

Teva seeks a dedicated development program and first-cycle approval metrics for complex generics. Role of artificial intelligence in the generic drug review process is a talking point for both agency and industry at reauthorization kickoff meeting.

More from North America

US FDA’s CRL Release More Incremental Than ‘Radical’ Transparency

 
• By Bridget Silverman

The transparency initiative collects CRLs already made public in approval packages on its drugs@fda site to post on the openFDA public portal.

US FDA Asking Questions About Commissioner’s Voucher Program With Details Scarce

 
• By Derrick Gingery

FDA staff are trying to plan for program implementation in the absence of critical eligibility and other details, although guidance may be coming soon.

Senate Appropriators Give US FDA More Non-User Fee Funds Than House

 
• By Sarah Karlin-Smith

US FDA would receive more funding for fiscal year 2026 in the Senate appropriations bill than its House counterpart, including $10m for unannounced foreign inspections.