Pfizer Plans to Sell Lipitor at Generic Prices

Pfizer is to sell Lipitor to patients at generic prices to retain sales when the drug's patent expires on 30 November.

Pharma giant Pfizer is planning to sell cholesterol drug Lipitor directly to patients at generic prices once the company loses patent protection, in an attempt to retain sales.

Lipitor has earned Pfizer in excess of $81bn since its 1997 launch. However, the drug's patent expires on 30 November, after which patients are expected to flock towards cheaper generic versions of the drug.

In an agreement with Diplomat Specialty Pharmacy, patients will be able to order the drug directly through them and receive via the post, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The patent expiry of Lipitor has long been a concern for Pfizer, with the company looking to expand into emerging markets i