See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor

Based on the information provided, it is indicated that the cost of Lipitor may have been a factor in a decision to switch. However, the specific circumstances and context of this decision are not provided.

Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a prescription medication used to treat high cholesterol and reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. It is a statin, a class of drugs that work by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol. Lipitor was first approved by the FDA in 1996 and has been a blockbuster drug for Pfizer, generating billions in revenue.

However, Lipitor's patent expired in 2011, which allowed generic versions of the drug to enter the market. According to DrugPatentWatch.com, the patent expiration of Lipitor led to a significant decrease in the price of the drug, with the cost of a 30-day supply of Lipitor dropping from around $170 in 2011 to around $10 in 2019 for the generic version.

This decrease in price may have made it possible for patients and healthcare providers to switch from Lipitor to a generic equivalent, which could have been a factor in the decision to switch. However, it's important to note that there may have been other factors that contributed to the decision, such as changes in treatment guidelines or the availability of new medications.

In conclusion, the cost of Lipitor may have been a factor in a decision to switch, but it is likely that there were other factors involved as well. The expiration of Lipitor's patent and the availability of generic versions of the drug likely contributed to a decrease in the price of the medication, making it a more affordable option for patients and healthcare providers.

Sources:

* [DrugPatentWatch.com](https://www.DrugPatentWatch.com)
* [FDA.gov](https://www.FDA.gov)
* [Pfizer.com](https://www.Pfizer.com)
* [MayoClinic.org](https://www.MayoClinic.org)