Another drug in
Pfizer's
(
PFE
) portfolio started facing generic competition recently. Generic
competition for Pfizer's pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)
drug, Revatio (sildenafil) tablets has entered the market with
Mylan
(
MYL
) launching its generic version of the drug.
Apart from Mylan,
Watson Pharmaceuticals
(
WPI
) also gained approval for its generic version of Revatio. Watson
Pharma intends to launch its product shortly.
According to IMS Health, US sales of Revatio tablets in the 12
months ending September 30, 2012, were $338.7 million. While
Revatio tablets lost exclusivity in September 2012, Revatio
intravenous injection is slated to lose exclusivity in May
2013.
We note that Revatio contains the same medicine, sildenafil,
as erectile dysfunction drug, Viagra. With the availability of a
cheaper version in the market, we expect significant erosion of
Revatio sales.
We currently have a Neutral recommendation on Pfizer, which
carries a Zacks #3 Rank (short-term Hold rating). Pfizer is
currently facing generic competition for several of its products
including Lipitor, Geodon and Xalatan. These products are all
facing declining sales due to generic competition.
Pfizer has been looking to offset the impact of generic
competition by bringing new products to market. The company has
been focusing on the development of treatments in the fields of
oncology, cardiology, metabolic disorders, neuroscience,
immunology, inflammation and vaccines. These are areas in which
the company believes it can take leading positions.
Pfizer received a boost last week with the FDA approval of its
JAK (Janus kinase) inhibitor, Xeljanz (tofacitinib). The FDA
approved Xeljanz (5 mg twice daily) for the treatment of
moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in adults
who have not responded sufficiently to or are unable to tolerate
methotrexate.
MYLAN INC (MYL): Free Stock Analysis Report
PFIZER INC (PFE): Free Stock Analysis Report
WATSON PHARMA (WPI): Free Stock Analysis
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