In June 2006, insurers and government agencies will have the opportunity to start using an inexpensive generic version of the cholesterol-lowering drug Zocor instead of the more pricey Lipitor.
Pfizer, which makes Lipitor, plans to use marketing muscle to fight the change. They claim that Lipitor has unique benefits that make it worth the price.
Both Lipitor and Zocor are statin drugs, which are the nation's best-selling medications. Almost 150 million prescriptions will be filled this year, with a $16 billion price tag.
Insurers and some cardiologists say that, in many cases, patients who take the a common dosage of Lipitor, such as 10 milligrams daily, can reduce their cholesterol just as much with Zocor. Lipitor costs $2 or more a day, whereas generic Zocor will likely cost 35 cents or less.
The battle over which drug will be prescribed will involve many of the fundamental forces currently driving American health care. Prescription drug sales have increased from $40 billion fifteen years ago to almost $250 billion today. But while many complain about the cost of prescription drugs, patients are also frequently reluctant to accept generic medicines instead of more expensive brand-name medications that might be slightly better.
