Vivus Inc. has announced that they are not feeling very confident about the European Medicines Agency’s decision on their new weight loss drug that has recently been launched in the US under the name Qsymia.
Seemingly the EU committee has been raising concerns over the use of phentermine in this combined drug. Phentermine is generally not supplied anymore in the EU as it is an addictive drug and is thought to cause long term side effects. This drug however contains phentermine on a control release basis, therefore making it safer and probably non-addictive.
We are due to hear more on the potential approval of this drug come October after the European Medicine’s Agency meeting next month. The company is prepared to appeal a negative result or resubmit the marketing application. A negative result would be very disappointing as the efficacy of this medication seems impressive.