There's a ton of anticipation surrounding the launches of obesity drugs Qsymia, by Vivus(VVUS), and, coming soon, Belviq by Arena Pharmaceuticals(ARNA). During its first week on the market, it appears that health plans are more accommodating to Qsymia than even Vivus had anticipated, with almost a third of prescriptions being picked up by insurers. It's a win that neither of the drugs are terribly expensive, as cost won't be a major deterrent.
Before Arena investors start to worry about being left behind, keep in mind that only 106 scripts were written last week for Qsymia. Getting doctors comfortable with and actively prescribing the new treatments may take some time, which is why Belviq's DEA delay is not as big a deal as it might seem. In fact, the future is looking especially bright for Arena and its innovative, ready-to-launch obesity drug, making now a perfect time to check out our premium research report on Arena Pharmaceuticals. Fool.com health-care analyst and Arena expert Brian Orelli, Ph.D., walks investors through the must-know opportunities -- and potential threats -- facing the future of the company. Since key news can develop quickly, Brian will continue to deliver a year's worth of updates and guidance for all who sign up. To learn more and get started, click here now.
