Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. (RPCI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (RLL), announced that on Wednesday, May 19th, the company gained approval from Health Canada to market RAN-Atorvastatin tablets (atorvastatin calcium), 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg strengths, in the Canadian Healthcare System. Atorvastatin is a cholesterol-reducing medicine, the generic equivalent of the brand Lipitor, which has a current market size in Canada of $1.2 billion ($CAD) [IMS-CDH: February 2010].

“As a result of our global settlement, Ranbaxy is pleased to announce the immediate launch of RAN-Atorvastatin. Atorvastatin is a lipid metabolism regulator marketed under the Lipitor brand, representing the largest selling pharmaceutical brand in Canada,” said Paul Drake, president, RPCI. RAN-Atorvastatin will be made available to all Canadian patients under the Ranbaxy label, subject to Provincial formulary listings.

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. (RPCI) based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited (RLL), India’s largest pharmaceutical company. RPCI is engaged in the sale and distribution of generic prescription products in the Canadian healthcare system.