#$%^&*AU2013204129C120170302.pdf#####H:\dr\lntenvovn\NRPortbl\DCC\RBR\5067473_ .DOC- 1/04/2013 ABSTRACT A method for producing a drug substance of crystalline pitavastatin calcium excellent in stability, is presented. In the production of a compound (pitavastatin calcium) 5 represented by the formula (1): The water content is adjusted to a level of from 5 to 15%, and the crystal form is controlled to be crystal form A, thereby to obtain a drug substance excellent in stability.