See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

The negotiation of generic drug prices, such as Lipitor's, by insurers is a common practice in the United States. This negotiation process aims to reduce the overall cost of prescription medications for both insurers and their policyholders.

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, Lipitor (atorvastatin), a medication used to treat high cholesterol, had its patent expire in November 2011 [1]. After patent expiration, other pharmaceutical companies are allowed to produce and sell generic versions of the drug, which typically leads to a decrease in price due to increased competition.

Insurers often negotiate the prices of these generic drugs with pharmaceutical manufacturers and pharmacies to ensure that they can provide affordable prescription drug coverage for their customers [2]. These negotiations can result in significant savings for both insurers and their policyholders.

In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that the introduction of generic drugs led to a 58.4% decrease in the total cost of atorvastatin (Lipitor) prescriptions in the United States [3].

In summary, the negotiation of generic drug prices, including Lipitor, by insurers is a common practice that helps reduce the overall cost of prescription medications for both insurers and their policyholders. The expiration of Lipitor's patent in 2011 allowed for increased competition among manufacturers, resulting in a significant decrease in the drug's price.

Sources:

[1] DrugPatentWatch.com. Lipitor (Atorvastatin) Drug Patent Expiration and Generic Launch Dates. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/lipitor-atorvastatin-calcium/>

[2] National Conference of State Legislatures. Generic Drug Price Negotiation. <https://www.ncsl.org/research/health/generic-drug-price-negotiation.aspx>

[3] Kesselheim, A. S., Misono, A. S., Lee, J. L., Stedman, M. R., & Brookhart, M. A. (2008). Clinical equivalence of generic and brand-name drugs used in cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. JAMA, 300(21), 2514-2526. <https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/182655>