Generic Ambien wakes up the market

Executive Summary

The first generic versions of Sanofi-Aventis' market-leading sleep aid Ambien (zolpidem immediate-release) launched immediately following FDA's first approvals April 23. No manufacturer holds generic exclusivity, and fifteen ANDAs are approved as of April 27. Prasco markets an authorized generic under a distribution and supply agreement with Sanofi. According to data from Gold Standard's pricing database ProspectoRx, the wholesale acquisition costs of the 5 mg generics range from $0.07 (Sandoz) to $0.25 (Apotex), compared to $4.11 per tablet for branded Ambien as of Feb. 16. In the last few years - as the insomnia market has heated up - the Ambien price has nearly doubled. In September 2004, just before the approval of Sepracor's Lunesta, the WAC was $2.09 for a 5 mg Ambien tablet and $2.57 for a 10 mg tablet. As of October, WAC for Sanofi's line-extension Ambien CR was $3.08 per 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg tablet...