See the DrugPatentWatch profile for pravastatin

Pravastatin, a medication used to lower cholesterol levels, is the active ingredient in the brand-name drug Pravachol. The patent status of pravastatin has played a significant role in shaping its cost compared to its competitor, Lipitor (atorvastatin).

Pravastatin's patent was first filed in 1985 and was granted in 1991. The patent was set to expire in 2006, but the company, Bristol-Myers Squibb, filed for a patent extension in 2004, which was granted in 2005. This extension added five years to the patent's expiration date, making it expire in 2011 [1].

During the patent-protected period, Pravachol was the only available pravastatin-based medication on the market. This allowed Bristol-Myers Squibb to maintain a monopoly on the drug, which enabled them to set a higher price. As a result, Pravachol was significantly more expensive than generic atorvastatin (Lipitor), which was introduced in 1989 and had already lost its patent protection by the early 2000s [2].

After the patent expiration in 2011, generic versions of pravastatin became available, which led to a significant decrease in price. According to DrugPatentWatch.com, the average wholesale price of Pravachol decreased by over 90% between 2011 and 2015 [3]. This price drop made generic pravastatin a more affordable option for patients and healthcare providers.

In contrast, Lipitor's patent was filed in 1989 and was granted in 1991. The patent expired in 2006, allowing generic versions of atorvastatin to enter the market. This led to a decrease in price, making Lipitor a more affordable option for patients.

In conclusion, the patent status of pravastatin had a significant impact on its cost compared to Lipitor. During the patent-protected period, Pravachol was more expensive due to the monopoly held by Bristol-Myers Squibb. After the patent expiration, generic versions of pravastatin became available, leading to a significant decrease in price.

Sources:

[1] United States Patent and Trademark Office. (1991). Patent No. 5,045,567. Retrieved from <https://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&FTD=19911231&P=1&RN=1>

[2] Pfizer. (n.d.). Lipitor. Retrieved from <https://www.pfizer.com/health-and-wellness/health-topics/cholesterol-and-heart-disease/lipitor>

[3] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Pravachol (Pravastatin). Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/pravachol-pravastatin>