Pfizer Accused of Delaying Generic Versions of Lipitor

Pfizer is being sued by five retailers over its alleged actions to delay sales of generic versions of Lipitor.

Five large retailers have joined a legal battle against Pfizer Inc, claiming that the pharmaceutical giant deliberately delayed the introduction of generic versions of its cholesterol-lowering medicine Lipitor.

The drug and grocery chains, including Walgreen Co and Kroger Co, argue that Pfizer conspired with Indian generics specialist Ranbaxy to prevent other generic drug makers from selling their own cheaper versions of Lipitor after the branded drug lost US market exclusivity in November 2011.

The retailers - which filed a lawsuit in Trenton, New Jersey, on Thursday (July 5th) - also claim that generics should have been available nearly two years earlier, when Lipitor's original patent expired.