Investing.com -- GoodRx shares rose 1.5% in premarket trading Tuesday after the healthcare company said it will offer a 30-day supply of oral weight management drug Qsymia for $149.
The stock lost the gains later and was trading 0.5% lower following the market open.
“QSYMIA is available for a low cash price in more than 70,000 retail pharmacy locations nationwide exclusively via GoodRx,” the company said in a press release.
The move aligns with GoodRx’s expansion in the weight-loss sector and its focus on making brand-name medications more affordable for millions, the announcement said.
With more than two in five U.S. adults affected by obesity, demand for effective weight-loss drugs has surged, though many face barriers due to high costs and limited insurance coverage.
Through its collaboration with Vivus, developer of Qysmia, GoodRx aims to help “those struggling with weight and obesity find more affordable ways to access the treatments they need.”
Qsymia, an oral medication combining phentermine and topiramate, is designed to reduce hunger and cravings, with studies showing it can help patients lose and maintain weight when paired with diet and exercise. Unlike injectables, which some find inconvenient, Qsymia offers a simpler, daily pill option.
As part of this initiative, anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance, can use GoodRx to buy a 30-day supply of Qysmia at the low cash price of $149, the company said.
“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.”