VIVUS Reduces Barrier to Achieving Healthy Weight Goals With Launch of Online Platform to Purchase Qsymia®
June 11 2019 - 7:30AM
VIVUS, Inc. (Nasdaq: VVUS) (the “Company”), a biopharmaceutical
company, today announced the launch of an e-medicine platform that
will enable patients with a prescription for
Qsymia
® (phentermine and topiramate
extended-release) capsules CIV to purchase the medication online
and have their orders delivered directly to their homes. The online
ordering platform is another component of the Qsymia Advantage
Program, which is designed to improve patient access to Qsymia.
“One of the consistent pieces of feedback that
we have heard from patients utilizing and physicians prescribing
Qsymia has been the high out of pocket cost. Historically,
the patient’s out of pocket cost has been in excess of $140 per
month for the low strength doses and in excess of $200 per month
for the high strength doses. These high out of pocket costs
limited patients from initiating therapy or continuing therapy
after initiation,” said John Amos, Chief Executive Officer at
VIVUS. “We listened to the prescribing physicians and our patients
and, through an innovative use of technology, we have made changes
to the Qsymia pricing structure to reduce patient out of pocket
cost by as much as 30% or greater at higher strength doses.
We believe these lower out of pocket costs will allow a much larger
number of patients and their physicians to better access Qsymia
across all dosage strengths. The ability to fill Qsymia
prescriptions online further simplifies the Qsymia prescription
filling process for the patient, and we expect it will extend the
period of time patients use Qsymia.”
With the Qsymia Advantage Program, new and
existing patients with a Qsymia prescription can receive their
monthly medication for $98 plus shipping and handling, a 30% or
greater reduction in out of pocket expense. This new online
purchasing platform makes it easier and less expensive for
patients to access Qsymia which we believe will ultimately help
patients advance their efforts towards achieving their weight
goals.
Mr. Amos added, “In the 21st century, meeting
patients’ medication needs requires more than innovative drug
development. VIVUS is committed to leveraging technologies to
establish novel approaches that remove barriers to care and improve
the health economics for our patients and products, ultimately
improving the health outcomes for our patients. Over the next six
to 12 months, we plan on leveraging additional technologies to help
facilitate the patient’s journey.”
About Qsymia
Qsymia is approved in the United
States and is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie
diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management
in adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or
greater (obese) or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the
presence of at least one weight-related medical condition such as
high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
The effect of Qsymia on cardiovascular morbidity
and mortality has not been established. The safety and
effectiveness of Qsymia in combination with other products intended
for weight loss, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs,
and herbal preparations, have not been established.
Important Safety
Information
Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate
extended-release) capsules CIV is contraindicated in pregnancy; in
patients with glaucoma; in hyperthyroidism; in patients receiving
treatment or within 14 days following treatment with monoamine
oxidase inhibitors; or in patients with hypersensitivity to
sympathomimetic amines, topiramate, or any of the inactive
ingredients in Qsymia.
Qsymia can cause fetal harm. Females of
reproductive potential should have a negative pregnancy test before
treatment and monthly thereafter and use effective contraception
consistently during Qsymia therapy. If a patient becomes pregnant
while taking Qsymia, treatment should be discontinued immediately,
and the patient should be informed of the potential hazard to the
fetus.
The most commonly observed side effects in
controlled clinical studies, 5% or greater and at least 1.5 times
placebo, include paraesthesia, dizziness, dysgeusia, insomnia,
constipation, and dry mouth.
About VIVUS
VIVUS is a biopharmaceutical company committed
to the development and commercialization of innovative therapies
that focus on advancing treatments for patients with serious unmet
medical needs. For more information about the Company, please
visit www.vivus.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are
forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other factors, including risks and uncertainties
related to our ability to execute on our business strategy to
enhance long-term stockholder value; risks and uncertainties
related to our expected future revenues, operations and
expenditures; risks and uncertainties related to our, or our
current or potential partners’, ability to successfully
commercialize Qsymia, including our ability to improve patient and
physician access to Qsymia; risks and uncertainties related to the
impact of promotional programs for Qsymia on our net product
revenue and net income (loss) in future periods; and risks and
uncertainties related to our ability to sell through the Qsymia
retail pharmacy network and the Qsymia Advantage Program. These
risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ
materially from those referred to in these forward-looking
statements. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these
forward-looking statements. Investors should read the risk
factors set forth in VIVUS’ Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2018 as filed on February 26, 2019, and periodic reports filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. VIVUS does not
undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements.
VIVUS, Inc.
Mark Oki
Chief Financial
Officer
oki@vivus.com
650-934-5200
Investor Relations: Lazar PartnersDavid
CareyManaging Directordcarey@lazarpartners.com212-867-1768
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