Lipitor is a popular cholesterol-lowering medication that has been available on the market since 1996. Pfizer, the company that developed Lipitor, lost its patent protection in 2011, which allowed other pharmaceutical companies to produce generic versions of the drug. According to the sources provided, the price of Lipitor generics can vary significantly depending on the manufacturer and the pharmacy where it is purchased.
Drugpatentwatch.com [1] provides a comprehensive list of Lipitor generics and their corresponding manufacturers. The website also indicates the expiration date of each manufacturer's patent, which can be useful in determining when new generic versions of Lipitor may become available. As of August 2021, there are more than 20 generic versions of Lipitor available on the market.
Goodrx.com [2] provides a comparison chart of the prices of various statins, including Lipitor generics. According to the chart, the average retail price of atorvastatin, the generic version of Lipitor, is around $15 per month for a 30-day supply. However, the price can vary significantly depending on the pharmacy and location. Goodrx.com also provides coupons and discounts that can be used to reduce the cost of atorvastatin.
The New York Times [3] reported that when Pfizer's patent for Lipitor expired in 2011, the company aggressively marketed its own generic version of the drug to compete with other manufacturers. Pfizer's generic version of Lipitor, called atorvastatin calcium, was sold at a discounted price to pharmacies, which allowed them to offer the drug at a lower price to consumers. This strategy was successful in maintaining Pfizer's market share of the drug, even after the introduction of generic versions from other manufacturers.
In conclusion, the price of Lipitor generics can vary significantly depending on the manufacturer and the pharmacy where it is purchased. According to the sources provided, the average retail price of atorvastatin, the generic version of Lipitor, is around $15 per month for a 30-day supply. However, prices can be reduced through the use of coupons and discounts. It is also important to note that Pfizer aggressively marketed its own generic version of Lipitor to compete with other manufacturers, which helped maintain its market share of the drug.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/LIPITOR
[2] https://www.goodrx.com/classes/statins/intensity-comparison-chart
[3] https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/30/health/generic-lipitor-sets-off-an-aggressive-push-by-pfizer.html