AdverseEvents analyzes leading anti-obesity drugs for risk and cost

Of several leading anti-obesity drugs in the USA, Belviq (lorcaserin hydrochloride) from Arena Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ARNA) and Japanese drug major Eisai (TYO: 4523) is the least risky in relation to cost, according to safety-focused healthcare informatics company AdverseEvents.

Limited efficacy and adverse events in anti-obesity drugs means that most health plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, are reluctant to cover them, in addition to the heavy cost burden to payers that comes from the potential lifetime use. Since the American Medical Association declared obesity a disease in 2013, some payers have granted access to these kinds of drugs, with Aetnas’ pioneering 12-month pilot program granting access to Qsymia (phentermine hydrochloride, topiramate) from VIVUS (Nasdaq: VVUS) and Belviq this year.

Adverse events compared the downstream medical costs of adverse drug reactions associated with anti-obesity drugs Contrave (bupropion hydrochloride, naltrexone hydrochloride) from Orexigen (Nasdaq: OREX). Using its proprietary algorithms, RxCost and RxScore, It found Belviq to have the lowest risk:cost ratio.