Obesity Prescription Drug Markets
Limited Results Hinder Growth of Existing
Anti-obesity Drugs
Obesity Drugs - Limitations
The limitations of available anti-obesity drugs and the lack of sufficient
cooperation from patients have resulted in a poor track record for most
of these products. FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of obesity, "Orlistat"
(Xenical) and "Sibutramine" (Meridia), were expected to attain
blockbuster status. However, patient realization that weight reduction
is possible only when accompanied by restricted food intake and regular
physical workouts has contributed to the stasis and gradual decline in
sales. Serious and unpleasant side effects such as poor bowel control,
oily stools, abdominal pain, and flatulence associated with Xenical and
raised heart rate/blood pressure, nervousness, and sleep disorders associated
with Meridia have further slowed sales.
|
|
Reversing Negative Perceptions
Can Boost Prescriptions
The safety of anti-obesity drugs
has come under serious review after the researched deaths associated
with the popular fenfluramine/phenteramine or fen-phen combination
treatment for obesity and the subsequent withdrawal of fenfluramine
from the market. Sibutramine was banned in some European countries
after researched deaths in Italy while phenteramines are marketed
in only a few European countries.
|
The focus of anti-obesity drug developers
should now be on developing a drug that is efficacious and does not have
any serious side effects.
Sources include: Frost & Sullivan Report
2002
|
com