TEVA: Te vas a ver conmigo si sigues con esas...(PFIZER)

Pfizer has said that it will 'vigorously' pursue damages from pharmacies that dispense generic atorvastatin launched by Teva last month. Pharmacies who do not return the product to their wholesaler or, if their supplies are not returnable, do not store the product until the expiry of Pfizer's UK patent expiry on 6 May 2012 could find themselves the subject of action the company warns. In a statement Pfizer said it was 'fully sympathetic to the difficult position that many pharmacies find themselves in having purchased generic atorvastatin... in good faith'. The company announced that it has secured an injunction prohibiting the supply and sale of generic atorvastatin in the UK by Teva, AAH, Phoenix and Trident and that it will be claiming against the four plus pharmacy chain Rowlands for damages.

Teva has told customers that it is 'willing to provide all legal costs and pay all damages for any pharmacy who is sued by Pfizer.' Teva, which launched generic atorvastatin in June, says that it considers it is 'acting in the interests of sustainable healthcare delivered via the pharmacy'. A Teva spokesperson said: 'We believe the validity of Pfizer's patent is an issue that is appropriately determined in the courts between Teva and Pfizer and does not need to involve pharmacy.' (Ver)