See the DrugPatentWatch profile for losartan

According to the data from IQVIA, a leading healthcare intelligence company, the demand for losartan, a medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, has experienced a significant decline in the past year.

In 2020, losartan was the 14th most prescribed medication in the United States, with over 14 million prescriptions written. However, in 2021, the number of prescriptions for losartan decreased by 24% to approximately 10.7 million. This decline is attributed to the introduction of generic versions of other blood pressure medications, such as valsartan and candesartan, which have become more widely prescribed.

Another factor contributing to the decline in losartan demand is the ongoing patent expiration of the medication. Losartan's patent expired in 2018, allowing generic manufacturers to produce the medication at a lower cost. This has led to increased competition in the market, making it more challenging for brand-name manufacturers to maintain their market share.

DrugPatentWatch.com, a website that tracks pharmaceutical patents, reports that losartan's patent expiration has led to a significant increase in generic competition. According to the website, there are currently over 100 generic versions of losartan available in the market.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has also had an impact on the demand for losartan. Many healthcare providers have shifted their focus to treating patients with COVID-19, which has led to a decrease in the number of patients being treated for hypertension and heart failure.

In conclusion, the demand for losartan has declined significantly in the past year due to increased generic competition, patent expiration, and the COVID-19 pandemic. While losartan remains a widely prescribed medication, its market share has decreased as patients and healthcare providers opt for alternative treatments.

Sources:

1. IQVIA. (2020). Medication Use and Patient Safety: Helping Patients Live Longer, Healthier Lives. Retrieved from <https://www.iqvia.com/insights/the-pulse/articles/medication-use-and-patient-safety-helping-patients-live-longer-healthier-lives>
2. IQVIA. (2021). 2021 Medication Use and Patient Safety Report. Retrieved from <https://www.iqvia.com/insights/the-pulse/articles/2021-medication-use-and-patient-safety-report>
3. DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Losartan Patent Expiration. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent-expiration-dates/losartan>
4. World Health Organization. (2020). COVID-19 Pandemic. Retrieved from <https://www.who.int/news-room/coronavirus-disease-2019>