This document discusses Pfizer's marketing of the cholesterol drug Lipitor. It notes that Pfizer promoted Lipitor for patients with cholesterol above 130 mg despite FDA approval only for those above 160 mg. It outlines Pfizer's history of off-label marketing and fines for other drugs. Finally, it suggests potential remedies like the Orange Book and Corporate Integrity Agreements.

1. Pfizer - Lipitor
The issue
The track record
Common practice?
Remedies

2. Pfizer – Lipitor The Issue
FDA Approved for cholesterol
above 160 mg
Off label Marketing
Cholesterol >130 mg
Seminars Lipitor Sale
15
(Pfizer sponsored?) research 10
article 5
Sponsored? Research? 0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

3. Pfizer – Lipitor The Track record
• Neurontin 1993
– Seizures (original)
– Headaches, Psychiatric
conditions
• In 2009, Paid 1.8 Billion
USD as fines for
– Bextra
– Geodon
– Zyvox
– Lyrica

4. Pfizer - Lipitor Common Practice?
2009 - Pfizer – 1.8 billion USD (4
drugs)
2007 – Astrazeneca – 520 million
USD
seroquel – anti psychotic drug for
children – leads to weight gain and
diabetes
2001 – Eli Lilly – 1.4 billion USD
Zyprexa – anti psychotic drug for
elderly
Promoted off label for dementia
and children in primary care

5. Pfizer – Lipitor - Remedies
Orange book
Corporate Integrity
agreement