Ranbaxy launches generic version of cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor in Australia
21 Feb 2012
Ranbaxy Laboratories today said it has become the first generic drug maker to sell the generic version of Pfizer's block-buster cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor in Australia.
The Gurgaon-based company said that it has launched Atorvastatin in 10mg, 20mg, 40mg and 80mg tablets in the Australian market, after receiving approval from the Australian regulator Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Atorvastatin is the generic equivalent of Pfizer's drug Lipitor, which generated over $100-billion in sales since its introduction in 1997 and annual sales touching $13 billion at its peak.
Ranbaxy has introduced the product under the brand name, 'Trovas' and the drug will be available in bottles and blister packs, through retail pharmacy chains.
Atorvastatin, a cholesterol reducing drug, is the most prescribed statin in Australia and represents the largest patent expiry opportunity ever, in the $680 million Australian pharmaceutical market, said Ranbaxy.
The move comes after Ranbaxy in early December 2011 launched the generic version of Lipitor in the US market.
