Merck to Drop Price as Zocor Patent Lapses

Listen Now [18 sec] add to playlist | download

All Things Considered, June 23, 2006 · The first generic versions of the popular cholesterol pill Zocor were approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The patent on Zocor, held by pharmaceutical company Merck, has run out, and that means the price for the pills will drop, as Merck has made an unusual decision to lower the price of Zocor to compete with the generics.

The decision may be bad news for Pfizer, which makes Lipitor, another popular cholesterol medication. Michele Norris talks with cardiologist Stuart Seides, associate director of cardiology at Washington Hospital Center.

E-mail|
Share|
Comments |

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Comments

Discussions for this story are now closed. Please see the Community FAQ for more information.

More Health Care

Learn more: Podcasts | RSS

Feeds

PodcastRSS

Health Care
Subscribe to Health Care podcast via:
Or use this URL:
close [x]
All Things Considered–

Merck to Drop Price as Zocor Patent Lapses

E-mail this Page

Comments

More Health Care

Feeds

More Health & Science

Search 'All Things Considered'

Browse Topics

Services

Programs