Pfizer gets in another blockbuster

Caduet treats high blood pressure and cholesterol.

After Viagra, Pfizer is planning bringing another of its blockbuster drugs to India.

Caduet, a new generation cardiovascular drug, is a combination of Lipitor (atorvastatin calcium) and Norvasc (amlodipine besylate) "" the two leading international brands of the world's largest research-based drug company.

The company was awaiting approval from the Drug Controller-General of India (DCGI) to introduce the drug, said a senior Pfizer executive.

Caduet treats high blood pressure and high cholesterol in a single pill. Norvasc controls blood pressure, while Lipitor is one of the largest cardiovascular brands in the world. Pfizer launched Lipitor in January 2004.

Pfizer executives said the Indian approval was expected by early 2006 and the drug would be launched soon after.

At present Pfizer has three brands in the cardiovascular segment in India -- Amlogard, Fragmin and Minipress XL -- accounting for a turnover of over Rs 100 crore.

"Caduet is a major advance for millions of patients who suffer from two serious medical conditions because it combines two leading medications, each with extensive worldwide use," they added.

This combination is one of the several in Pfizer's development pipeline for treatment of cardiovascular disease incorporating Pfizer's new approach to regulating blood plasma levels that goes beyond statin control.

A Pfizer report said over 3,700 patients with high blood pressure and high cholesterol were enrolled in the Caduet clinical trial programme. Results of clinical studies have shown that patients taking Caduet reached both their recommended blood pressure and cholesterol level.

Globally, Caduet is available in multiple dose combinations to provide doctors with the flexibility to get patients to their treatment levels.

In India, cardiovascular drugs is one the fastest growing market segments with an estimated growth of 17-20 per cent annually. The estimated annual sales of cardiovascular drugs in India is about Rs 750 crore with around 30 million people suffering from the disease.