Generic Statins Get Boost Come June

A survey of HMOs, cardiologists and physicians finds Lipitor sales will drop when generic versions of statins become available.

A study by pharmaceutical research group Decision Resources Inc. found 56 percent of primary care doctors and 53 percent of cardiologists will prescribe generic versions after the cholesterol-lowering Zocor, made by Merck, loses its patent in June.

The survey found sales of Lipitor, made by Pfizer, will be hit the hardest because after the generics, doctors will turn to a priced-down Zocor next.

And a look at 20 HMOs found plans to aggressively move patients to the generics by offering free samples and issuing stricter guidelines.