Comparison of Drug Prices
Introduction
Lipitor is a drug that is used in to lower the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Its generic name is Atorvastatin. It has been proven to reduce the risk of suffering a heart attack in patients proven to be at risk of acquiring heart disease (Lipitor becomes world’s top-selling drug, 2011). It is a synthetic compound that inhibits the action of the HMG CoA reductase. This inhibition limits the process of cholesterol synthesis. There isthe limited generic availability of the drug with most producing it under the brand name Lipitor.
Comparison of Drug Prices
In the United States, this drug is mostly covered by the Medicare or insurance facilities. However, some pharmacies and stores offer it at discounted prices in both the generic and the brand forms. Some of the companies that offer this drug include the Walmart, Albertsons and Kroger pharmacy. However, it should be noted that in most pharmacies, thebrand price and the generic prices tend to defer. An example of such a difference in the prices is in Kroger pharmacy. In this case, the generic price for the drug is 35$ whereas, Lipitor, the brand is sold at a cash price of 445$ (Morris, 2017). Another company that depicts the changes in price is the Walmart pharmacy. In this store, Lipitor retails at a price of 450$ whereas the generic form of the drug is sold at 23.91 dollars. The case is no different from the Walgreens pharmacy where the brand price of the drug surpasses the generic price, that is, 465$ and 150$ respectively (Vogul, 2009).The great difference in the prices can be related to the more common use of the brand form of the drug as opposed to the generic form.
References
Lipitor becomes world’s top-selling drug”. Crain’s New York Business via Associated Press. 28 December 2011.
Morris, Keiko; Haddon, Heather (February 7, 2017), Kroger Co. Gobbles Up Murray’s Cheese, New York City: The Wall Street Journal.
Vogel, Mike (Aug 3, 2009). “Walgreens becomes a truly national chain”.Chain Drug Review.Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2013
