Ranbaxy launches generic atorvastatin, 'Lipogen'

Ranbaxy (S.A.)(Pty) (Ltd) (Ranbaxy S.A.), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, has launched Lipogen (atorvastatin) 10, 20, 40 and 80mg into the South African market. Ranbaxy is the first generic pharmaceutical company to launch a generic atorvastatin in South Africa.

Atorvastatin is the second largest molecule in South Africa after esomeprazole. Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-reducing medicine, the generic equivalent of the brand Lipitor®*, which has a current market size in the South African market as measured by IMS (MAT, Feb. 2010) of ZAR 208.7 million (~US$ 26.1 million). Lipitor®, the Pfizer originator brand, has 33.2% market share of the atorvastatin market. Pharmacia, a Pfizer company, also markets an authorized generic, Aspavor®** in 10, 20, 40 mg.

With this launch, Ranbaxy S.A. becomes the only Company to have an 80 mg Generic Atorvastatin, in South Africa.

The launch of Lipogen provides patients, a high quality Generic alternative, at an affordable price. Favorable reimbursement terms to encourage generic substitution have also been worked out while special distribution arrangements have been made with wholesalers and distributors to improve patient access. Lipogen is also the first generic in South Africa to carry information in blind friendly Braille format on its packaging. This has been welcomed by all customers as well as the blind society of South Africa.

Ranbaxy (S.A.) (Pty) Ltd., based in Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, India’s largest pharmaceutical company.  Ranbaxy South Africa is engaged in the sale and distribution of generic prescription products in the South African healthcare system.

Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited, India's largest pharmaceutical company, is an integrated, research based, international pharmaceutical company producing a wide range of quality, affordable generic medicines, trusted by healthcare professionals and patients across geographies. Ranbaxy’s continued focus on R&D has resulted in several approvals in developed markets and significant progress in New Drug Discovery Research. The Company’s foray into Novel Drug Delivery Systems has led to proprietary "platform technologies," resulting in a number of products under development. The Company is serving its customers in over 125 countries and has an expanding international portfolio of affiliates, joint ventures and alliances, ground operations in 46 countries and manufacturing operations in 7 countries. Ranbaxy is a member of the Daiichi Sankyo Group. Daiichi Sankyo is a leading global pharma innovator, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

*Lipitor® is a registered trademark of Pfizer.
* *Aspavor® is a registered trademark of Pharmacia, a Pfizer Company.