Abstract: Non-crystalline, in particular amorphous, pharmaceutically acceptable atorvastatin salts, especially the calcium salt, are prepared from atorvastatin lactone or from a compound of formula (I) where A denotes a common protecting group or separate protecting groups for the two hydroxy groups, and B denotes a carboxylic acid protecting group, without the need of prior formation of atorvastatin lactone, the crystalline form of the atorvastatin salt, or a mixture of amorphous and crystalline forms of the atorvastatin salt. Pharmaceutical formulations are prepared from these salts.