Canada court blocks sale of generic form of Lipitor

NEW YORK Canada's appeals court ruled in favor of Pfizer not allowing Ranbaxy Labs to produce the generic version of the drug Lipitor, according to published reports.

The decision overturned a ruling made by lower courts that stated that the patent could not prohibit Ranbaxy from selling a cheaper version of Lipitor (atorvastin calcium), which is used to fight cholesterol.

The appeals court of Canada decided that Ranbaxy could manufacture its product as soon as Pfizer’s product expires in 2010, which leads many to believe that this decision will push Ranbaxy to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Canada.