The current wholesale price trend of Lipitor (atorvastatin), a widely prescribed statin medication, is influenced by patent expiration and generic market competition.

Atorvastatin, the active ingredient in Lipitor, lost its patent protection in 2011 [1]. Since then, several generic versions have entered the market, significantly impacting the drug's pricing.

Data from DrugPatentWatch.com [2] shows that the wholesale price of generic atorvastatin has been steadily declining since its patent expiration. In 2020, the average wholesale price (AWP) for 40mg and 80mg generic atorvastatin tablets was around $10-$15 per unit [2]. As of 2023, the AWP for these tablets has dropped to approximately $5-$7 per unit [2].

The price decline is largely due to increased generic competition and the entry of more manufacturers into the market. According to a report by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the number of generic atorvastatin products rose from 12 in 2012 to 27 in 2020 [3].

While the wholesale price trend for Lipitor's generic versions is decreasing, it's essential to note that prices may vary depending on the supply chain, distributors, and regional market conditions.

Sources:
[1] FDA: Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations (2011)
[2] DrugPatentWatch.com: Atorvastatin Wholesale Prices (2023)
[3] CMS: National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) Data (2020)