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.”
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
Michelle is a founding partner of Zoll & Kranz, located in Toledo, Ohio. Michelle has been a plaintiff’s lawyer for the entirety of her practice – over 32 years. She devotes the majority of her time to complex consolidated litigation and class action including advocating for people injured by medical devices, prescription medications, or corporate negligence.
This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by the team of writers and attorneys at Zoll & Kranz, LLC and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney. If you would like to learn more about our owner and experienced Ohio injury lawyer, Michelle L. Kranz, you can do so here.
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