Word: generic
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...raids, early on Wednesday, were launched from Brussels to investigate whether big drug companies were fixing the market to squeeze out copycat medicines. They included forays on Pfizer, Merck, Bayer Schering Pharma and Roche as well as generic firms such as Teva and Sandoz. Hours later, with almost ironic understatement, the E.U. competition watchdog said it had merely launched a "sector inquiry into pharmaceuticals with unannounced inspections...
...Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes said she wanted to see if drug companies were holding up the release of cheaper generic copies of their brand-name drugs when patents expire. She also said she was concerned that pharmaceutical companies may be colluding to cut deals that temporarily sideline generics in return for payoffs. With Europeans spending some €200 billion ($297 billion) a year on pharmaceutical products - an average €400 ($588) for every man, woman and child - Big Pharma has a huge interest ensuring that customers continue paying high prices for their drugs...
...Individuals and governments want a strong pharmaceuticals sector that delivers better products and value for money," Kroes said. "But if innovative products are not being produced, and cheaper generic alternatives to existing products are in some cases being delayed, then we need to find out why and, if necessary, take action...
...production in the liver, like other statins do. ENHANCE compared the effect of Vytorin to simvastatin alone, and showed little difference between the two medications when it came to plaque size in the arteries. Simvastatin came off patent in 2006, and these results suggest that the generic form of simvastatin may be as effective as the more expensive Vytorin...
...meantime, doctors are likely to dial back on their use of Vytorin. "If they aren't getting to the target goal [cholesterol level] with generic simvastatin, then because this study is raising questions I think a lot of physicians will think about switching to higher doses of drugs like Lipitor or Crestor before going to Vytorin," says Blumenthal. At least the commercials got one thing right - your risk of heart disease does depend on the food you eat and the genes you inherit. It's just that Vytorin may not be best way to fight those factors when it comes...