2006/6/25

Generic cholesterol drug OK'd

Health

Generic cholesterol drug OK'd

Patients may face switch from Zocor

June 24, 2006

BY PATRICIA ANSTETT and LUBNA TAKRURI

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS

 

With Friday's decision by federal regulators to approve a generic version of Zocor, one of the world's best-selling, cholesterol-lowering drugs, consumers now face a decision: Should they switch to a cheaper medicine?

 

For consumers who pay for their drugs out of pocket, using generic statins might save them as much as $1,800 a year, according to a report posted Thursday by Consumer Reports at www.crbestbuydrugs.com.cqaustin

Even those with prescription drug benefits likely will save $200-$300 a year in co-pays, the report said.

Simvastin, the drug approved Friday, is the generic form of Zocor, which generated $4.4 billion in worldwide sales last year. Lipitor, made by Pfizer Inc., is the best selling drug in the world with $12 billion in sales last year.

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