CSRxP Statement on Launch of AstraZeneca’s Crestor

Today the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved generic versions of AstraZeneca’s multi-billion-dollar cholesterol-lowering drug Crestor. The approval comes one day after a federal judge denied AstraZeneca’s temporary order request that would have kept the FDA from approving the generics. In response, John Rother, executive director of the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing issued the following statement:

“We are glad to see that the court rejected AstraZeneca’s effort to abuse the Orphan Drug Act and restrict generic competitors to Crestor,” said John Rother. “Additional competition in the prescription drug market—including generic options—is crucial to lowering prescription drug prices and providing patients with more affordable choices.”