Boston, MA 10/16/2013 (wallstreetpr) – Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARNA) released a report on October 15, and according to the report Eisai Inc. would be increasing the number of sales staff involved with the sales of the anti-obesity drug Belviq. As per the report the sales force number would touch 400 by the month of December this year. Belviq was made available in the month of June this year and by taking this step ARNA would be doubling the representatives for Belviq.
The process of expansion of representatives has already begun. Several health plans and PBMs have included Belviq since it has been launched. Eisai Inc. plans to target at least 65000 physicians to be reached in the United States and the list includes endocrinologists, gastrointestinal specialists, primary care providers and cardiovascular experts as well.
Numerous reputed and preferred health plans and PBMs have included Belviq as part of their business and treatment. Express Scripts, BCBS, Highmark BCBS, Excellus BCBS, Health Alliance Plan, Tufts, etc. are a few names. However, the coverage of Belviq in health plans might vary from patient to patient, but with the increased sales force one thing is sure that more patients would be able to access the coverage support through their enrolled health plan or PBM.
Jack Lief, who works as President and Chief Executive Officer for Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARNA) said that Eisai released Belviq with an aim in mind to educate a group of physicians and making the drug a part of the newly formulated medical coverage plans. The plans also aimed at taking up the level of patient awareness and programs that are designed to support them. He further added that they have noticed that since the launch of Belviq, they are getting great responses from physicians who have used the drug for treating acute weight related diseases. ARNA is also delighted with the response they have received from patient support programs and the patient campaigns launched by the company in the recent times.
