Qsymia sales

[Anonymous]

Vivus can't even give Qsymia away. What the F is going on????? About 6.5 million in sales for the quarter!!!!!! If there were no discounting and rebates the sales would have been about 11 million!!! Pathetic to say the least. You can go to any Walgreens and find Qsymia and if they don't have it they will order for you and it will be ready the next day. The availability of Qsymia is no longer the issue.

I think this is a clear indication that doctors are very hesitant and reluctant to prescribe Qsymia.

Normally I would blame a contract sales force, but given the anemic sales beyond belief I think this is just a clear case of rejection by the market.

 

[Anonymous]

Vivus can't even give Qsymia away. What the F is going on????? About 6.5 million in sales for the quarter!!!!!! If there were no discounting and rebates the sales would have been about 11 million!!! Pathetic to say the least. You can go to any Walgreens and find Qsymia and if they don't have it they will order for you and it will be ready the next day. The availability of Qsymia is no longer the issue.

I think this is a clear indication that doctors are very hesitant and reluctant to prescribe Qsymia.

Normally I would blame a contract sales force, but given the anemic sales beyond belief I think this is just a clear case of rejection by the market.

too bad because I'm a 20 year rep and it helped lose 44lbs. I'm down to 180 from (well add 180 + 44) . I just add a clariton-d 12hr every morning. Love it! GREAT DRUG! expensive. My 3 coupons ran out. now I pay 240$ , but do you know what...Its sooooo worth it!!!

 

[Anonymous]

too bad because I'm a 20 year rep and it helped lose 44lbs. I'm down to 180 from (well add 180 + 44) . I just add a clariton-d 12hr every morning. Love it! GREAT DRUG! expensive. My 3 coupons ran out. now I pay 240$ , but do you know what...Its sooooo worth it!!!

I don't question Qsymia's effectiveness at all, but the market is just not there. Many people spend fortunes trying to lose weight and now we have a drug that can help, but no one wants.. Go figure.

 

[Anonymous]

too bad because I'm a 20 year rep and it helped lose 44lbs. I'm down to 180 from (well add 180 + 44) . I just add a clariton-d 12hr every morning. Love it! GREAT DRUG! expensive. My 3 coupons ran out. now I pay 240$ , but do you know what...Its sooooo worth it!!!

I am lucky. Qsymia helped me lose 15lbs in about 7 weeks, and my copayment is $50.00 a month. There is a sample 2-page "letter of medical necessity" form on the Qsymia website. Ask your physician to put it on his letterhead and fill in the blanks. If your BMI meets the indication perhaps your plan will help you pay for it. Qsymia is going to have a problem taking off until plans help cover it. Obesity effects countless medical conditions. Insurance plans need to help the appropriate patients pay for their medication.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't question Qsymia's effectiveness at all, but the market is just not there. Many people spend fortunes trying to lose weight and now we have a drug that can help, but no one wants.. Go figure.

Unfortunately, motivated patients are not always told about Qsymia, or Belviq for that matter. PCP's are not trained to treat obesity, and usually do not discuss medications that might be able to help a patient reach their weight loss goal. Motivated obese patients spend a great deal of money annually. Often they spend their money on herbal supplements or other things that are not FDA approved. Patients often go to "weight loss" centers, where a self-professed weight-loss speciality physician sells them overpriced generic medications (often off-label), meal supplements, meal replacements, herbal supplements, B-12 shots, and a bunch of other things that are not FDA approved or proven to work. Patients have this stuff pushed on them because the offices that sell it make a fortune! These offices do not make any money writing a prescription for Qsymia. It may work better for the patient and even save the patient money, but they do not care. Vivus needs to get into DTC marketing and make patients aware!

 

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, motivated patients are not always told about Qsymia, or Belviq for that matter. PCP's are not trained to treat obesity, and usually do not discuss medications that might be able to help a patient reach their weight loss goal. Motivated obese patients spend a great deal of money annually. Often they spend their money on herbal supplements or other things that are not FDA approved. Patients often go to "weight loss" centers, where a self-professed weight-loss speciality physician sells them overpriced generic medications (often off-label), meal supplements, meal replacements, herbal supplements, B-12 shots, and a bunch of other things that are not FDA approved or proven to work. Patients have this stuff pushed on them because the offices that sell it make a fortune! These offices do not make any money writing a prescription for Qsymia. It may work better for the patient and even save the patient money, but they do not care. Vivus needs to get into DTC marketing and make patients aware!

I agree with much of what you said. A DTC marketing plan would be nice, but I do not think Vivus has the money to run an effective DTC campaign. Vivus has mentioned a number of times that their focus will be on educating physicians instead of "activating" the consumer. Who knows at this point.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with much of what you said. A DTC marketing plan would be nice, but I do not think Vivus has the money to run an effective DTC campaign. Vivus has mentioned a number of times that their focus will be on educating physicians instead of "activating" the consumer. Who knows at this point.

I agree with you, "Who knows at this point?"

This much is certain, being overweight or obese remains at epidemic proportions in the USA. Qsymia is effective! Belviq is a good medication too, and Contrave also has quality efficacy data; however neither can challenge Qsymia regarding effectiveness. In order for Qsymia to become a blockbuster a higher level of patient awareness is needed, as well as better insurance coverage. Both of these things take time and money. Does Vivus have enough of both? Would a partner help them? Again, like you wrote, Who knows at this point?

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with you, "Who knows at this point?"

This much is certain, being overweight or obese remains at epidemic proportions in the USA. Qsymia is effective! Belviq is a good medication too, and Contrave also has quality efficacy data; however neither can challenge Qsymia regarding effectiveness. In order for Qsymia to become a blockbuster a higher level of patient awareness is needed, as well as better insurance coverage. Both of these things take time and money. Does Vivus have enough of both? Would a partner help them? Again, like you wrote, Who knows at this point?

I think a partner could definitely help, but it depends on the partner. A second tier specialty pharma company is less promising. Vivus needs a Tier 1 pharmaceutical company to pull this off. 1st they have the sales force and foot print and second they have the DTC expertise and know how. A definite intangible would be the confidence that a Tier 1 pharma co. would bring to Qsymia in the marketplace. In my opinion the previous management had a specialty pharma company in the works, because Leland wanted to keep the Endo market and have the partner pharma co. focus on the PCP market. No big pharma company would agree to those terms. Especially when the marketing efforts of the BP would spill over to the Endo market of which BP would see little or no return on.

 

[Anonymous]

Maybe your NAMS just need to get you coverage and placement

 

[Anonymous]

Started back in June, and at first it seemed as though I was having all of the side effects from constipation to acid reflux, you name it. So far I have gone from 212 to 182 lbs. This is the only diet medication that has worked for me. It has always been a problem losing after being diagnosed with a thyroid condition. I am grateful my physician decided to try me on Qsymia.
with Qsymia Manufacturer coupon Save up to $150.

 

[Anonymous]

To the above poster- congratulations and hope your success continues. The problem is not the drug it's the management who keeps changing direction of company and targets . They have own issues on retailing,wholesaling and producing a stream lined co-pay card. Don't let the bashers say its the rep. I have sold for 18 years and have never seen the incompetence from uppers like this. Sorry for long post.

 

[Anonymous]

Great job marketing. Just found out from co-worker that these new cards have to be activated by Feb 28th. Why did you put a sticker over date when the only date that shows is April 1st. Now we will cases of useless copay cards and frustrated drs and patients.