For Pfizer, Is Taking Lipitor OTC a Good Idea?
By Pharmalot: On the eve of losing patent protection for its best-selling Lipitor cholesterol pill, Pfizer (PFE) is considering seeking FDA approval to sell an over-the-counter version. Whether the idea will pass regulatory muster, however, is questionable, given that the agency has previously nixed efforts by Merck (MRK) to sell an OTC version of the same type of cholesterol pill. Why? An FDA spokeswoman tells The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the story, that earlier research on proposed OTC statins has not shown that most consumers will make correct decisions about taking the drugs. On the other hand, she says the FDA is open to discussing the possibility, but a drugmaker must be ready to demonstrate that consumers will make correct decisions. In any event, an OTC version would allow Pfizer to capture some of the sales that will be lost when the Lipitor patent expires in November. In fact, PfizerComplete Story »
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