VIVUS, Inc. (VVUS), Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ARNA) & Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (OREX): The Bottom Line

Improving sales

VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ:VVUS) has started a number of interesting programs to increase consumer interest in Qsymia. The Get Started! Program allows users to get a free 14 day prescription of the drug with a starting dose of 3.75 mg/23 mg. The Save Now! Program allows potential customers to buy the first 15 day worth drug for only $75 (recommended dose of 7.5 mg/46 mg), saving almost $85.

These aggressive sales techniques are improving the top line, but at the cost of profits. As the table below shows, the scripts are gradually improving and the lifting of sales restrictions should bring about further improvement.

Bottom line

The improvement in the scripts of Qsymia should be a good sign for Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARNA) and Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OREX) investors. The true potential of Qsymia will be revealed once the company starts distribution of the drug through certified pharmacies as well. On the other hand, investors in the obesity market are waiting on the DEA scheduling and European approval of Arena’s Belviq.

The drug is still considered the safest and the most assured bet in the obesity segment. With the modification of REMS, the prospects of Qsymia have become much better and investors should expect scripts to further improve in the next couple of months.

The article Improving Prospects of This Obesity Bet originally appeared on Fool.com.

Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.