Top 500 Prescription Medicines 2011

Despite losing patent protection in certain markets, Lipitor remained the world's top-selling prescription drug for the 10th consecutive year. The cholesterol medication generated global sales of $11.92 billion during 2010, with $10.73 billion recorded by Pfizer Inc. Astellas Pharma Inc., the drug's co-promoter in Japan, reported sales of $1.19 billion for the 12-month period ended March 31, 2011. Lipitor's global sales were negatively affected by the loss of exclusivity in Canada and Spain during May and June 2010. Pfizer holds marketing exclusivity in the United States until November 2011. The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor generated sales of $6.05 billion in 2010. Global sales for Crestor improved 26% compared to 2009 sales, and the product jumped four places in worldwide revenue rankings, landing Crestor among the top 10 prescription medicines in terms of revenue for the first time. Sales outside of the United States were up 23% with solid growth in Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, and Western Europe. Crestor has continued to gain market share since its U.S. launch in 2003 based on its differentiated profile in managing cholesterol levels and its more recent label indications for slowing the progression of atherosclerosis and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in some markets. Crestor's brand managers took a major step forward with the launch of ""Click-to-Chat"" on Crestor.com. The new, non-traditional marketing feature provides consumers with the ability to contact live AstraZeneca customer-service representatives with just the click of a button. AstraZeneca is one of the first pharmaceutical companies to use this technology. AstraZeneca understands that consumers want flexibility. Crestor's ""Click-to-Chat"" feature, similar to instant messaging, enables consumers to have easier access to the product information they seek through a realtime, online channel. Brand teams for other prescription drugs such as Lipitor, Cymbalta, and Cialis are utilizing their websites to not only educate the consumer on the brand and conditions, but to serve as a resource for financial assistance and support programs. These sites are also providing links to credible communities while using engaging tools to educate and inform the consumer.

Additional Information

Data is presented in three formats: by product for 2010 global sales, by companies that report sales for these products, and by primary disease/medical use for each product treats.

Charts provide the following information:

• 2010 sales rank for each medicine
• 2010, 2009 and 2008 worldwide sales for each medicine
• Companies reporting sales for each medicine
• At least one primary disease/medical use for each medicine
• First approval date or launch date for medicine with region of occurrence for several entries