GoodRx Announces Exclusive Low Cash Price for QSYMIA®, the Leading Branded Once-Daily Oral Weight Management Medication for Adults

Rhea-AI Summary

GoodRx (Nasdaq: GDRX) announced an exclusive partnership making QSYMIA, a once-daily oral weight management medication, available at a low cash price of $149 for a 30-day supply across 70,000+ retail pharmacies nationwide. The initiative aims to improve accessibility to obesity treatment, addressing a significant health concern affecting more than two in five U.S. adults. QSYMIA, designed to help manage hunger and reduce cravings, has shown that one in five adults and one in four young adults achieve at least 20% body weight loss on the top dose. This partnership extends GoodRx's momentum in weight loss solutions and broadens its portfolio of brand-name medication savings programs.

Positive

• Exclusive partnership for QSYMIA distribution at reduced price point ($149/30-day supply)
• Access to 70,000+ retail pharmacy locations nationwide
• Expansion into growing weight management market segment
• Demonstrated clinical efficacy with 20% body weight loss in significant patient population

Negative

• None.

Insights

Healthcare Market Analyst

This exclusive partnership represents a significant strategic move in the competitive weight management market. At $149 for a monthly supply, QSYMIA's pricing through GoodRx creates a compelling value proposition compared to injectable alternatives that can cost upwards of $1,000 monthly. The addressable market is substantial, with over 40% of U.S. adults having obesity.

The deal strengthens GoodRx's position in two key ways: First, it expands their brand-name medication portfolio with an exclusive arrangement, potentially driving new user acquisition. Second, it positions them strategically in the rapidly growing weight management market. The partnership model mirrors recent successful collaborations with Pfizer and ARS Pharmaceuticals, indicating a scalable business strategy.

The $75 billion in consumer savings since 2011 demonstrates GoodRx's significant market penetration and ability to execute on prescription affordability programs. This exclusive deal should drive increased platform traffic and potentially higher revenue through their pharmacy network.

Medical Research Analyst

QSYMIA's clinical profile offers notable advantages in the crowded weight management space. The reported 20% body weight reduction in one-fifth of adults and one-fourth of young adults on the top dose represents significant efficacy. The oral administration route provides a competitive edge over injectable alternatives, potentially leading to better treatment adherence and broader patient acceptance.

The medication's dual mechanism targeting hunger management and craving reduction, combined with its once-daily dosing, addresses key patient needs. The extensive pharmacy network availability through 70,000 locations ensures widespread accessibility. This combination of clinical efficacy, convenient administration and improved affordability could drive substantial adoption rates among the growing population seeking weight management solutions.

First weight loss medication with an exclusive low cash price available on the GoodRx platform

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- GoodRx (Nasdaq: GDRX), the leading prescription savings platform in the U.S., announced today that QSYMIA® (phentermine and topiramate extended-release capsules CIV) is available for a low cash price in more than 70,000 retail pharmacy locations nationwide exclusively via GoodRx. This initiative not only propels GoodRx’s momentum in weight loss solutions, but also broadens its portfolio in offering significant savings on brand-name medications, making obesity treatment more accessible and affordable for millions.

According to the CDC, more than two in five U.S. adults have obesity, and untreated obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and mortality. While demand for weight-loss medications has soared in recent years, consumers often struggle to access them due to high costs and lack of insurance coverage. By making QSYMIA more accessible, GoodRx and Vivus are helping those struggling with weight and obesity find more affordable ways to access the treatments they need.

Now, anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase a 30-day supply of QSYMIA at the exclusive cash price of $149. QSYMIA is designed to help patients manage hunger and reduce cravings throughout the day and, combined with a healthy diet and exercise, has been proven to help patients lose and maintain weight. Many individuals prefer oral medications over injectables, and the simplicity of taking a daily pill can make it easier to adhere to treatment regimens.

“Obesity medications are life-changing for millions of Americans, but accessibility and affordability are often a barrier for many consumers,” said Dorothy Gemmell, Chief Commercial Officer at GoodRx. “Through this partnership, we’re making headway in getting these critical medications into the hands of those who need them and improving access to a medication that not only helps with weight loss, but is also tied to better outcomes for other costly chronic diseases.”

“We are dedicated to expanding access to our critical medications that consumers rely on,” said John Amos, CEO at VIVUS. “Collaborating with GoodRx enables us to offer an affordable solution for individuals who have prescriptions for QSYMIA and expand access to those seeking a cost-effective option to fill them. One in five adults and one in four young adults (12-17) experience weight loss on the top dose of QSYMIA of at least 20% of their body weight. Our partnership with GoodRx coupled with the weight loss profile of QSYMIA offers Americans an unprecedented value vs. other therapies.”

GoodRx works with nearly 150 brands across pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical device companies and OTC medicines to surface their savings and patient support programs directly with high-intent audiences via the GoodRx platform. The company recently announced a partnership with Pfizer to offer its menopause hormone therapies at low prices in retail pharmacies exclusively via GoodRx. Similarly, the company launched an affordability program with ARS Pharmaceuticals to offer neffy at an exclusive low discounted cash price in retail pharmacies across the U.S.

About GoodRx

GoodRx is the leading prescription savings platform in the U.S. Trusted by more than 25 million consumers and 750,000 healthcare professionals annually, GoodRx provides access to savings and affordability options for generic and brand-name medications at more than 70,000 pharmacies nationwide, as well as comprehensive healthcare research and information. Since 2011, GoodRx has helped consumers save over $75 billion on the cost of their prescriptions.

​GoodRx periodically posts information that may be important to investors on its investor relations website at https://investors.goodrx.com. We intend to use our website as a means of disclosing material nonpublic information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors and potential investors are encouraged to consult GoodRx’s website regularly for important information, in addition to following GoodRx’s press releases, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and public conference calls and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, GoodRx’s website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.

About VIVUS

VIVUS is a biopharmaceutical company committed to the development and commercialization of innovative therapies that focus on advancing treatments for patients with serious unmet medical needs. For more information about the Company, please visit http://www.vivus.com.

About QSYMIA

QSYMIA is indicated in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with obesity, and in adults with overweight in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition.

The effect of QSYMIA on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality has not been established. The safety and effectiveness of QSYMIA in combination with other products intended for weight loss, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal preparations, have not been established.

For more information on QSYMIA, please visit https://QSYMIA.com/

Important Safety Information for QSYMIA

Do not take QSYMIA if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or become pregnant during QSYMIA treatment; have glaucoma; have thyroid problems (hyperthyroidism); are taking certain medicines called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or have taken MAOIs in the past 14 days; are allergic to topiramate, sympathomimetic amines such as phentermine, or any of the ingredients in QSYMIA.

QSYMIA can cause serious side effects, including birth defects (cleft lip/cleft palate), serious eye problems (secondary angle closure glaucoma), visual field defects (independent of elevated intraocular pressure), suicidal thoughts or actions, and severe rash with blisters and peeling skin. QSYMIA may slow the increase in height in children 12 years and older.

Common side effects of QSYMIA in adults include numbness or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or face (paraesthesia), dizziness, changes in the way foods taste or loss of taste (dysgeusia), trouble sleeping (insomnia), constipation, and dry mouth. Common side effects of Qsymia in children aged 12 years and older include depression, dizziness, joint pain, fever, flu, and ankle sprain.

For more information please read the Qsymia Medication Guide, Full Prescribing Information, and Risk of Birth Defects with Qsymia patient brochure.

GoodRx Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this press release that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding anticipated consumer savings and accessibility; and the objectives and potential benefits and value of the GoodRx and Vivus partnership. These statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause GoodRx’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, risks relating to GoodRx’s ability to achieve broad market education and change consumer purchasing habits, changes in medication pricing and pricing structures, GoodRx’s reliance on a limited number of industry participants, and the important factors discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in GoodRx’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and GoodRx’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, projections and estimates as of the date of this press release. While GoodRx may elect to update such forward-looking statements at some point in the future, GoodRx disclaims any obligation to do so, even if subsequent events cause GoodRx’s views to change.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241029836195/en/

Press Contacts

GoodRx

press@goodrx.com

Source: GoodRx

FAQ

What is the cash price for QSYMIA through GoodRx (GDRX)?

Through GoodRx, QSYMIA is available at an exclusive cash price of $149 for a 30-day supply.

How many pharmacy locations offer QSYMIA through GoodRx (GDRX)?

QSYMIA is available through GoodRx at more than 70,000 retail pharmacy locations nationwide.

What percentage of weight loss can patients achieve with QSYMIA through GoodRx (GDRX)?

On the top dose of QSYMIA, one in five adults and one in four young adults (12-17) experience weight loss of at least 20% of their body weight.

Do patients need insurance to access QSYMIA through GoodRx (GDRX)?

No, anyone with a valid prescription can purchase QSYMIA through GoodRx at the exclusive cash price, regardless of insurance status.