Lipitor is the number one selling prescription medication in the world, according to Consumers Union. And its maker, Pfizer, is spending millions to keep it that way.
But are their compelling ads with Dr. Robert Jarvik leading people to think Lipitor is the only cholesterol-lowering drug you can trust?
"Around 20 million Americans take statins to lower their cholesterol. Three of these are available as generics and Pfizer wants to hang on to its market share," says Consumer Reports deputy health editor Gayle Williams.
Americans spent more than six and one-half billion dollars on Lipitor in 2006 alone. The three generic statins Simvastatin, Pravastatin, and Lovastatin cost far less.
"Lipitor is a highly effective drug and it's one good choice for people who have high levels of LDL cholesterol, or who've had a heart attack, or who have acute coronary syndrome. However, the vast majority of people can get the same protection from a generic statin at less than half the cost," said Williams.
And although Lipitor's web site makes a point of saying there is "no generic form of Lipitor," there will be in two years when its patent expires.
That will enable other drug makers to legally manufacture chemical twins of Lipitor, often called generic brands, which should then bring the overall cost of the medication down.
On another note, this week congress launched an investigation in ads for the drug featuring Dr. Robert Jarvik, the inventor of the artificial heart.
Congressional investigators believe the ads feature a body double hired to be a more athletic- looking Jarvik.
In those ads, Jarvick insists he wants to protect our hearts
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