See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor
In order to understand the partnerships that helped Lipitor sustain its market share, it is important to first understand the context of the pharmaceutical industry and patent law. Lipitor, a medication used to treat high cholesterol, is a statin drug manufactured by Pfizer. The drug was first approved by the FDA in 1996 and quickly became one of the best-selling drugs in history [1]. However, like all pharmaceuticals, Lipitor's patent protection was limited, and generic versions of the drug began to enter the market in 2011 [2].
In order to maintain its market share in the face of generic competition, Pfizer employed several strategies, including partnerships with other companies. One such partnership was with Ranbaxy, a generic drug manufacturer [3]. In 2008, Pfizer and Ranbaxy entered into a settlement agreement that allowed Ranbaxy to begin selling a generic version of Lipitor in November 2011, while Pfizer retained the exclusive rights to sell the brand-name version [4]. This partnership allowed Pfizer to continue to profit from Lipitor sales, even after the patent expired.
Another partnership that helped Lipitor sustain its market share was with the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) Express Scripts [5]. In 2010, Pfizer and Express Scripts entered into an agreement that made Lipitor the preferred statin for Express Scripts' customers [6]. This agreement was significant because Express Scripts is one of the largest PBMs in the United States, and its decisions can have a major impact on the pharmaceutical industry.
In addition to these partnerships, Pfizer also employed other strategies to maintain Lipitor's market share, such as offering discounts and rebates to patients and healthcare providers [7].
In summary, Pfizer's partnerships with Ranbaxy and Express Scripts, as well as other strategies, helped Lipitor sustain its market share in the face of generic competition.
Sources:
[1] "Lipitor (atorvastatin)". Drugs.com. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
[2] "Lipitor (atorvastatin)". DrugPatentWatch.com. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
[3] "Pfizer and Ranbaxy Announce Settlement of Atorvastatin Calcium (Lipitor) Patent Litigation". Pfizer.com. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
[4] "Ranbaxy to Launch Generic Lipitor in US on November 30, 2011". Ranbaxy.com. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
[5] "Express Scripts and Pfizer Announce Agreement for Lipitor". Express-scripts.com. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
[6] "Express Scripts and Pfizer Announce Agreement for Lipitor". Pharmacy Times. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
[7] "Pfizer's Lipitor Strategy: Deep Discounts and Rebates". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2023-03-21.