Pfizer Pushing For Studies of Over-the-Counter Lipitor

According to the Wall Street Journal, Pfizer plans on selling an over-the-counter version of the cholesterol drug Lipitor. This alarms some because Lipitor has been linked to Type 2 diabetes.

The Journal reported that Pfizer has started a “1,200-patient clinical trial to test if consumers taking a nonprescription Lipitor get their own blood tests to see if the medicine is improving their cholesterol, and then make the right decisions based on the results.”

The company is reportedly eschewing clinical guidelines for treating people with cholesterol-lowering stating drugs, saying that some doctors and pharmacists believe the over-the-counter pill could be useful.

Currently, most doctors require blood tests to monitor cholesterol levels while patients take Lipitor, and look for issues such as muscle weakness and fatigue, which are a sign of Type 2 diabetes.

Goldman Sachs estimated that over-the-counter Lipitor sales could generate more than $1 billion annually.

The Journal reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has rejected proposals for over-the-counter versions of other cholesterol drugs like Mevacor, after it had “doubts that consumers could correctly choose to take a statin on their own or sufficiently monitor themselves for changes in cholesterol levels and side effects.”

What Should I Do If I Get Diabetes From Taking Lipitor?

Lipitor has been linked to Type 2 diabetes in women for several years now. Lipitor is a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor that works by preventing an enzyme in the liver from creating low-density lipids.

Aside from Type 2 diabetes, the drug has been linked to cardiovascular disease.

Our firm offers confidential, no-obligation consultations to people who have suffered complications related to Lipitor. Let our defective drug attorneys represent you. Contact our injury lawyers toll free at (888)841-9623.
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Zoll & Kranz, LLC – Lipitor attorneys

ZKB’s ‘Did You Know?’: Sales of Lipitor were at $2.3 billion in 2013, down from $13 billion in 2006.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304071004579410930136742414