Vivus sales and marketing update

Vivus launched the Save Now! Program for obesity drug Qsymia phentermine/topiramate under which patients can receive a one-time, 30-day supply of the 7.5 mg/46 mg dose of Qsymia for no more than $75. According to Qsymia's label, patients should start at the lowest of the drug's four doses - 3.75 mg/23 mg - for 14 days and escalate to the next highest dose - 7.5 mg/46 mg - for 12 weeks. Vivus said the discount program provides up to $85 in savings off Qsymia's full retail price of $120-$183.90 per month, depending on dose. Patients with prescriptions written or filled on or after March 1 are eligible. Vivus already provides a free, one-time trial of a 14-day supply of the starting dose of Qsymia under the Get Started! Program (see BioCentury, Dec. 3, 2012).

Separately, the biotech also launched the Q and Me mobile weight loss application to help Qsymia patients "meet their weight loss goals." ...