discussion title:
Generics put more pressure on drug maker
WASHINGTON, -- U.S. makers of cholesterol-lowering drugs are coming under growing competitive pressure
from generic suppliers, reports the Wall Street Journal. Citing recent data, the Journal says competitors to Merck's Zocor are increasing their market for new prescriptions.
They are also putting pressure on Pfizer's Lipitor. The report says copycat versions of Zocor have taken 49 percent
of new prescriptions since these generic statins came on the market in June. The report says among the generic
makers, Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries took 32 percent of the 236,000 new prescriptions for all versions
of the statins in the last week of June. India's Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, which makes a generic version under
an agreement with Merck, had 14 percent of the new prescriptions. India's Ranbaxy Laboratories got the
remaining 3 percent. These generics can also be substituted under a doctor's approval for other cholesterol-reducing drugs, such as Lipitor, the report said.
Insurance companies are expected to force some patients to switch to a generic version, said one expert. He said
cheaper versions may also help doctors treat more people.
