Pharma Blog Watch

The Statins Game (Patent Baristas)
In his post, Stephen Albainy-Jenei discusses the eminent expiry of statin patents. "Patent expirations of three blockbuster statin drugs — Zocor, Pravachol and Lipitor — between 2006 and 2015 will slash down more than half of the $27-billion (U.S.) annual market for lipid lowering drugs, of which 85 percent was generated by statins," he points out.

He then outlines strategies for brand companies to "keep generics at bay." One method is making new drugs, which Pfizer has embraced by developing torcetrapib. Pfizer "plans to launch the new drug by 2009 as lipid lowering cocktail along with its winning horse Lipitor," he writes. Another approach would be an Rx-to-OTC switch. "Pharma experts are of the view that statins are a complex product because regular office visits are required to monitor cholesterol levels while being treated. … However with many blockbuster statin products approaching patent expiration, the industry will likely increase its OTC efforts."