Obesity Pill Qsymia to Be Covered by Express Scripts

by Christopher Freeburn | December 20, 2012 1:25 pm

[1]Vivus (NASDAQ:VVUS[2]) announced on Thursday that Express Scripts (NASDAQ:ESRX[3]) has added its new anti-obesity medication Qsymia as a standard benefit option to its pharmaceutical coverage[4].

Shares of Vivus climbed more than 2% on the news in Thursday afternoon trading, while Express Scripts shares rose fractionally.

The addition of Qsymia to Express Scripts coverage will cut the drug’s cost by about two-thirds for patients using the pharmacy benefits manager, Reuters noted.

Patients using Qsymia have paid an average of $160 through mail-order distributors. However, Express Scripts will offer it for a co-payment of between $50 and $60.

The drug’s high retail price has been an impediment to its greater use, Vivus noted. Up to 30% of patients who received a Qsymia prescription have opted not to fill it due to the price. Sales have been sluggish due to a lack of benefit coverage.

Source URL: http://investorplace.com/2012/12/obesity-pill-qsymia-to-be-covered-by-express-scripts/
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