ABC World News (11/29, story 5, 1:20, Sawyer) reported, "Lipitor [atorvastatin], the best-selling drug ever, goes generic at midnight tonight" saving money for many "Americans who take it." Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser said the average drop in price would be "$10 a month." What's more is that "in six months there's going to be more companies making the generic form" possibly dropping it "to $4 a month."
ABC News 
(11/30, Gann) reports on its website, "On Wednesday, the drug's patent expires, opening the market for cheaper, generic versions of Lipitor, which should lower costs for consumers by about 50 percent." Some patients have raised questions regarding the effectiveness and safety of the generic version. But Edith Rosato, a pharmacist and chief executive officer of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, said, "Generics are also FDA-approved and are safe and effective and are equivalent to the brand name products."
(11/30, Gann) reports on its website, "On Wednesday, the drug's patent expires, opening the market for cheaper, generic versions of Lipitor, which should lower costs for consumers by about 50 percent." Some patients have raised questions regarding the effectiveness and safety of the generic version. But Edith Rosato, a pharmacist and chief executive officer of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, said, "Generics are also FDA-approved and are safe and effective and are equivalent to the brand name products." "According to Kaiser Family Foundation figures cited in the Wall Street Journal, copays for branded drugs average $29 or $49, versus only $10 for generics, which should mean more savings for patients," HealthDay (11/30, Gardner) reports. "Several other statins have already gone generic," but Dr. Robert Ostfeld, a cardiologist, said, "Lipitor does seem to offer advantages over the other generic statins."
(11/30, Gardner) reports. "Several other statins have already gone generic," but Dr. Robert Ostfeld, a cardiologist, said, "Lipitor does seem to offer advantages over the other generic statins." Pfizer Prepared To Compete With Generic Suppliers. On the front of its Business Day section, the New York Times (11/30, B1, Wilson, Subscription Publication) reports, "For the last year, Pfizer has been laying the groundwork to combat the looming competition against Lipitor, forging deals with insurers, pharmacy benefit managers and patients to meet or beat the price of its generic replacements." The company "is completing relationships and shoring up discounts -- like a reduced co-payment of $4 a month versus the $10 customers would pay for many generic prescriptions."
(11/30, B1, Wilson, Subscription Publication) reports, "For the last year, Pfizer has been laying the groundwork to combat the looming competition against Lipitor, forging deals with insurers, pharmacy benefit managers and patients to meet or beat the price of its generic replacements." The company "is completing relationships and shoring up discounts -- like a reduced co-payment of $4 a month versus the $10 customers would pay for many generic prescriptions." The AP (11/30, Johnson) reports, "Lipitor is so valuable that Pfizer is practically paying people to keep taking its blockbuster cholesterol medicine after generic competition hits the US market this week." Pfizer has arranged "discounts and incentives for patients, insurers and companies that process prescriptions that will, at least for the next six months, make the brand name drug about as cheap as or cheaper than the generics." The manufacturer also "spent tens of millions of dollars this year on marketing to keep patients on Lipitor."
(11/30, Johnson) reports, "Lipitor is so valuable that Pfizer is practically paying people to keep taking its blockbuster cholesterol medicine after generic competition hits the US market this week." Pfizer has arranged "discounts and incentives for patients, insurers and companies that process prescriptions that will, at least for the next six months, make the brand name drug about as cheap as or cheaper than the generics." The manufacturer also "spent tens of millions of dollars this year on marketing to keep patients on Lipitor."FDA Approves Ranbaxy's Generic Version Of Atorvastatin.
Bloomberg News (12/1, Peterson, Edney) reports, "Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd...generic version of Pfizer Inc...$10.7 billion Lipitor cholesterol" medication "was approved for US sale by the Food and Drug Administration." On a website posting, the agency stated that "atorvastatin...will be manufactured by the company's Ohm Laboratories unit in New Brunswick, New Jersey." Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, stated, "This medication is widely used by people who must manage their high cholesterol over time, so it is important to have affordable treatment options." Since this is the "first generic to challenge Pfizer's patent, Ranbaxy is allowed six months before other generic versions can come on the market under a 1984 law."
(12/1, Peterson, Edney) reports, "Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd...generic version of Pfizer Inc...$10.7 billion Lipitor cholesterol" medication "was approved for US sale by the Food and Drug Administration." On a website posting, the agency stated that "atorvastatin...will be manufactured by the company's Ohm Laboratories unit in New Brunswick, New Jersey." Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, stated, "This medication is widely used by people who must manage their high cholesterol over time, so it is important to have affordable treatment options." Since this is the "first generic to challenge Pfizer's patent, Ranbaxy is allowed six months before other generic versions can come on the market under a 1984 law." In a statement made by the FDA, Ranbaxy will make generic atorvastatin calcium in 10, 20, 40 and 80 milligram strengths, Reuters (12/1, Nathan) reports. According to the AP (12/1), "Ranbaxy did not immediately say when it would start shipping its generic Lipitor."
(12/1, Nathan) reports. According to the AP (12/1), "Ranbaxy did not immediately say when it would start shipping its generic Lipitor." Senators Raise Concerns Over Deals To Block Generic Atorvastatin. The New York Times (12/1, B3, Wilson, Subscription Publication) reports Senators Max Baucus (D-MT), Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), and Herb Kohl (D-WI), "asked the drug maker Pfizer and five other health companies to detail their agreements to block prescriptions of generic versions of the cholesterol drug atorvastatin [Lipitor] and sell only the Pfizer brand-name version." The letters stated that "pharmacy benefit managers might pocket the Pfizer discounts while charging employers and Medicare the full price for Lipitor -- a situation the companies insist will not occur. The companies say they will pass the Pfizer discounts on to employers, Medicare and consumers." The senators wrote they "are concerned that arrangements like this will hinder access to generic drugs today and in the future."
(12/1, B3, Wilson, Subscription Publication) reports Senators Max Baucus (D-MT), Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), and Herb Kohl (D-WI), "asked the drug maker Pfizer and five other health companies to detail their agreements to block prescriptions of generic versions of the cholesterol drug atorvastatin [Lipitor] and sell only the Pfizer brand-name version." The letters stated that "pharmacy benefit managers might pocket the Pfizer discounts while charging employers and Medicare the full price for Lipitor -- a situation the companies insist will not occur. The companies say they will pass the Pfizer discounts on to employers, Medicare and consumers." The senators wrote they "are concerned that arrangements like this will hinder access to generic drugs today and in the future." 
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