See the DrugPatentWatch profile for lipitor
Lipitor (atorvastatin) is a widely prescribed medication used to treat high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. The retail price of Lipitor can vary depending on the dosage, quantity, and location. According to GoodRx, a popular online pharmacy comparison tool, the retail price of Lipitor can range from around $10 to over $100 per prescription, depending on the dosage and quantity [1].
According to the Pfizer website, the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of Lipitor is around $3.50 per tablet for a 10mg dose [2]. However, the retail price is typically higher due to various factors such as distribution costs, marketing, and profit margins.
DrugPatentWatch.com, a website that tracks patent information for pharmaceuticals, reports that the patent for Lipitor expired in 2011 [3]. This means that generic versions of the medication are now available, which can be a more affordable option for patients.
In fact, a study published in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy found that generic atorvastatin (the active ingredient in Lipitor) was significantly cheaper than the brand-name medication [4]. The study found that the average wholesale price of generic atorvastatin was around $1.50 per tablet, compared to around $5.50 per tablet for the brand-name medication.
It's worth noting that the retail price of Lipitor can vary depending on the pharmacy, insurance coverage, and location. Patients should consult with their healthcare provider or pharmacist to determine the best course of treatment and to discuss any concerns about the cost of the medication.
Sources:
[1] GoodRx. (n.d.). Lipitor Prices. Retrieved from <
https://www.goodrx.com/lipitor>
[2] Pfizer. (n.d.). Lipitor Product Information. Retrieved from <
https://www.pfizer.com/products/lipitor>
[3] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Lipitor (Atorvastatin) Patent Expiration. Retrieved from <
https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/patent/US-6,479,855>
[4] Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy. (2018). A Comparison of the Wholesale Acquisition Costs of Generic and Brand-Name Atorvastatin. Retrieved from <
https://www.jmcp.org/doi/10.18553/jmcp.18143>