Simvastatin sales

One class of antihyperlipidemic drugs is the statins. Statins interfere with the biosynthesis of cholesterol (A.103) and specifically inhibit the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase (Scheme A.l). The statins that have been approved by the FDA include lovastatin (Mevacor, A.104), simvastatin (Zocor, A.105), pravastatin (Prava-chol, A.106), atorvastatin (Lipitor, A.107), rosuvastatin (Crestor, A.108), and fluvastatin (Lescol, A.109) (Figure A.29). All six compounds are drawn here to highlight the similarities between HMG-CoA (A.99) and mevalonic acid (A.100), and the top portion of the various statins. As a class, the statins have been extremely successful in terms of sales and effective in decreasing LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. 

The current therapy leaders are the anti-ulcerants such as Omeprazole (Prilosec ) or Lansoprazole (Prevacid ), which accounted for US 19.5 billion in 2001, thus claiming a market share of 6%. The anti-ulcerants are closely followed by the cholesterol reducers, e.g., Atorvastatin (lipitor ) and Simvastatin (Zocor ), totaling US 18.9 billion, the antidepressants (US 15.9 billion), and the NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs US 10.9 billion). Calcium antagonists, antipsychotics, oral antidiabetics, ACE inhibitors, cephalosporins, and antihistamines complete the list of the best-selling therapy classes, with sales between US 9.9 and 6.7 billion. It is interesting to note that four classes grew more than 20% in 2001, namely the cholesterol reducers (22%), the antipsychotics (30%), the oral antidiabetics (30%), and the antihistamines (22%) [4],... 

For sale as a P medicine, simvastatin 10 mg at a dose of one 10 mg tablet each night, on a long-term basis is indicated to reduce the risk of a first major coronary event in individuals at moderate risk of CF1D, including ... 

In addition to the licensing conditions, the RPSGB recommends the following good-practice measures in association with the over-the-counter sale of simvastatin Pharmacists should be involved in all initial sales but subsequent sales may be delegated to appropriately trained medicines counter assistants. 

Figure 10.11 Impact of the Scandinavian Simvastatin Survival Study (4S) on sales of simvastatin (Zocor) in the UK.

Commercial evidence also supports the case for natural products. Of the 20 best-selling non-protein drags in 1999, nine were either derived from or developed as the result of leads generated by natural products (e.g., simvastatin, lovastatin, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin and cyclosprin) with combined annual sales of greater than US 16 billion. Newer developments based on natural products include the antimalarial drag artemisinin, and the anticancer agents taxol, docetaxel and camptothecin. In addition to the historical success in dixig discoveiy, natural products are likely to continue to be sources of new commercially viable... 

Atorvastatin is one of a widely prescribed class of drugs called statins, which reduce a person s risk of coronary heart disease by lowering the level of cholesterol in their blood. Taken together, the statins—atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), pravastatin (Pravachol), lovastatin (Mevacor), and several others—are the most widely prescribed drugs in the world, with an estimated 14.6 billion in annual sales. 

The cholesterol-lowering agents called statins, such as simvastatin (Zocor) and pravastatin (Pravachol), are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the world, with annual sales estimated at approximately 15 billion. Identify the functional groups in both, and tell how the two substances differ. 

---