Will This Strategy Spark a VIVUS Revival?

Pharmaceutical company VIVUS (Nasdaq: VVUS  ) has been marketing its obesity drug, Qsymia, primarily to physicians -- but the drug's initial sales were far below what investors were expecting. Presumably under pressure to ramp up sales, VIVUS recently announced a consumer-targeted program that offers a two-week free trial to patients.

Is this the spark that VIVUS needs to get back on track, or will sales take another hit when Arena (Nasdaq: ARNA  ) and partner Eisai market their competing drug in early 2013?

In the following video, health care analysts Max Macaluso and Brenton Flynn discuss this new marketing approach and what VIVUS might need to do in order to increase revenue.

The ravages of America's obesity epidemic are a challenge of epic proportions. However, a group of drug companies is looking to change everything. Newly approved drugs, including VIVUS' Qsymia, could help to reverse this deadly course while reaping massive profits for investors in the process. The profit opportunity is immense but plenty of risks still exist, so make sure you understand the full story behind VIVUS in the Fool's brand new premium research service. It's such an important story that we have our top health care writer on the job, so make sure to secure a copy today by clicking here now.