See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

Based on the information available, generic versions of Lipitor, a medication used to treat high cholesterol, have been proven to be just as safe and effective as the brand-name drug [1].

The active ingredient in Lipitor is atorvastatin, which is a statin medication. When a drug's patent expires, other manufacturers can produce and sell generic versions of the drug, which contain the same active ingredient in the same dosage form and work in the same way as the brand-name drug [1].

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that generic drugs meet the same rigorous standards as brand-name drugs in terms of safety, effectiveness, and quality [2]. In fact, the FDA estimates that generic drugs save consumers an estimated $80 billion to $100 billion a year at retail pharmacies [2].

According to DrugPatentWatch.com, the patent for Lipitor expired in November 2011 [3]. Since then, several generic versions of atorvastatin have become available on the market.

It's important to note that while generic drugs are required to have the same active ingredient, they may differ from the brand-name drug in terms of inactive ingredients, such as fillers, colors, and preservatives [1]. However, these differences do not affect the safety or effectiveness of the drug [1].

In conclusion, based on the information available, generic versions of Lipitor are just as safe and effective as the brand-name drug.

Sources:
[1] FDA. (2021). Generic Drugs: Questions and Answers. <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drugs-questions-and-answers>
[2] FDA. (2021). Generic Drugs: FDA's Role. <https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drugs-fdas-role>
[3] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Lipitor (Atorvastatin) Drug Patent Expiration and Generic Drug Entry. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drugs/lipitor>