Pfizer announces further positive Lipitor results

Pfizer has announced the analysis of two clinical trials of Lipitor (atorvastatin) at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology.

The assessment showed that patients administered with 10 mg tablets of Lipitor exhibited a 61 per cent reduction in stroke in type two diabetes and metabolic syndrome patients without heart disease.

In the other trial, patients who had suffered a recurrent stroke or mini-stroke administered with 80 mg of Lipitor showed a 53 per cent reduction in the risk of major coronary events.

Dr Michael Berelowits, senior vice-president of the global medical division at Pfizer, said: “These results add to the unique and robust body of evidence for Lipitor that includes proven reductions in heart attacks and strokes, impressive average LDL lowering of 39 per cent to 60 per cent and an established safety profile across a broad range of patients.”

Professor John Betteridge, professor of endocrinology and metabolism at University College London Hospital commented that the compound offered patients an “impressive” magnitude of cardiovascular efficacy for those at high risk of cardiovascular events.

Earlier this month, Pfizer announced the results of a retrospective analysis of a US managed care database, showing that patients administered with Lipitor had a higher reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events when compared with patients administered with simvastatin.