The biggest introduction of a generic drug in pharmaceutical history is being met with tough business strategies by Pfizer and pharmacy benefit companies, according to recent letters to pharmacists. A pharmacy group and an independent expert say the tactic will benefit Pfizer and benefit managers at the expense of employers and taxpayers, who may end up paying more than they should for the drug. Lipitor is the best-selling drug ever, accounting for $106 billion sales over the last decade, or almost one-quarter of Pfizer’s total. Pfizer has told analysts it is preparing for the loss of Lipitor’s patent with a variety of business moves to preserve market share.
Big drug companies will go to extraordinary ends to protect their market share. Who suffers? The public, of course. See: Plan Would Delay Sales of Generic Lipitor.
This article is important because it discusses and exposes a common PhRMA ploy to maximize their profits at the expense of patients and the government.