2006年VOA标准英语-Cholesterol Drug Patent Expiration Could Mean S
时间：2019-01-13 作者：英语课 分类：2006年VOA标准英语（六月）
By Mil Arcega
Washington, D.C.
26 June 2006
watch Zocor report
The 20-year patent on the cholesterol 1-lowering drug, Zocor, expired this past Friday, opening the door to competition from cheaper, generic 2 versions of the popular drug. But some lawmakers are accusing the drug's manufacturer of undercutting the competition.
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Zocor medications
Zocor is a big money-maker -- generating sales of about $4.5 billion per year for New Jersey-based drug manufacturer Merck.
Seventy one-year-old Frank Wolek, who began taking Zocor after suffering a heart attack, spends $125 a month for the life-saving medication. "It's my most expensive drug that I take."
But after June 23rd, Wolek will pay considerably 3 less. "I think it's wonderful,” he says.
And pharmaceutical 4 analysts 5 predict prices for Zocor could drop faster than anticipated. Albert Rauch at the investment firm A.G. Edwards says that is because Merck is trying to keep its customers by selling Zocor for less than generic versions, such as Simvastatin.
"I think they could be very successful at keeping market share by lowering their price," said Rauch.
Some health plans, for example, will start offering their patients Zocor for about $10 a month, compared to the generic equivalent, which costs five times more. But New York Senator Charles Schumer accuses Merck of undermining the generic drug industry and wants the Federal Trade Commission to investigate.
"Not only will it drive the competition out of business,” said the senator, “but they will do it on drug after drug and within a few years we won't have generic drugs anymore."
Ian Spatz
But Merck, which expects to lose as much as $2 billion a year after the patent expires says it is doing nothing wrong. Ian Spatz is Merck's vice 6 president for Public Policy. "What it is, is an attempt to compete and that is what we are doing. It is a marketplace change and we were the only company selling Zocor until Friday -- on Friday, there are three and we need to compete."
Dr. Steve Nissen, the lead cardiologist on a study of the effectiveness of drugs for combating heart disease says the patent expiration 7 on Zocor could help a lot of patients.
"That has huge implications because, of the 36 million Americans who are eligible 8 for cholesterol-lowering drugs, only about half of them are taking the drugs, and one of the reasons is cost," said Dr. Nissen.
Using generic drugs can mean big savings 9. According to the latest Consumer Reports, people who need medicine to lower their cholesterol can save up to $1800 a year by switching to generic drugs. Merck wants to make sure its customers don't have to
- There is cholesterol in the cell of body.人体细胞里有胆固醇。
- They are determining the serum-protein and cholesterol levels.他们正在测定血清蛋白和胆固醇的浓度。
- I usually buy generic clothes instead of name brands.我通常买普通的衣服，不买名牌。
- The generic woman appears to have an extraordinary faculty for swallowing the individual.一般妇女在婚后似乎有特别突出的抑制个性的能力。
- The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
- The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。
- She has donated money to establish a pharmaceutical laboratory.她捐款成立了一个药剂实验室。
- We are engaged in a legal tussle with a large pharmaceutical company.我们正同一家大制药公司闹法律纠纷。
- City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
- I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。
- He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
- They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。
- Can I have your credit card number followed by the expiration date?能告诉我你的信用卡号码和它的到期日吗?
- This contract shall be terminated on the expiration date.劳动合同期满，即行终止。
- He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
- Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。