Innovative drug to treat obesity and overweight arrives in Brazil
Published in: October 21, 2019
and updated in: November 4, 2021
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São Paulo, October 2019 – Starting in October, Eurofarma, the biggest investor in innovation among Brazilian pharmaceutical companies with a global presence in 20 countries, announces the arrival of Belviq® (lorcaserin hydrochloride) in Brazil, an innovative drug against obesity and overweight.
Clinical studies have shown that after 52 weeks of treatment, almost half of lorcaserin patients lose 5% or more of their body weight, and 22% of those patients lose 10% or more of their body weight¹.
Available throughout Brazil, the product works best for weight loss and maintenance when complementing a lifestyle change – a good diet and physical activity. Being neither a narcotic nor a stimulant, Belviq® has good tolerability and therefore promotes adherence to treatment. Cardiovascular safety has also been proven by clinical studies – the rate of cardiovascular events with drug use was similar to the placebo group²,1.
“Belviq® further expands our solutions for combating obesity and overweight, and provides safety and convenience to doctors and their patients. The combination of effectiveness, safety and tolerability of this innovative drug helps reduce the yo-yo effect, which affects many patients suffering from this disease,” said Roberta Junqueira, Commercial Director at Eurofarma.
Epidemiology –The prevalence of obesity is increasing among adults in both developed and developing countries, and in Brazil it is no different. Recent data indicate that 55,7% of Brazilians are overweight and approximately 20% of Brazilians are already considered obese. According to the Ministry of Health, one in five Brazilians suffer from obesity. Over the past 10 years, the obese population in Brazil grew from 11.8% in 2006 to 19,9% in 2018, representing a 67,8% increase. This figure is even more alarming when we consider the 24-34-year-olds, among which obesity has grown by 84,2%³.
Lorcaserin was approved in 2012 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to complement a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic-weight control in adult patients with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30kg/m² (obese) or ≥27 kg/m² (overweight), in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity (e.g. hypertension, dyslipidemia, or type 2 diabetes). The product was launched in the United States in 2013, and approved in Mexico and Brazil in 2016.
Cardiovascular Safety – A study of 12,000 obese or overweight patients with atherosclerosis or multiple risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes has proven the cardiovascular safety of lorcaserin treatment. The study found that long-term treatment does not increase the incidence of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE), including myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. The primary safety objective of the study was met, and an improvement in several cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure, lipids, blood glucose and renal function, was also demonstrated. In addition, lorcaserin treatment decreases the likelihood of diabetes, induces remission of hyperglycemia, and reduces the risk of microvascular complications in obese or overweight patients; aiding in making lifestyle changes for the control of chronic weight and metabolic health2,3.
Belviq® is the only drug for treating obesity and overweight with proven cardiovascular safety. The cardiovascular safety study concerned (CAMELLIA-TIMI 61) was conducted in eight countries with a median follow-up of 3.3 years, and showed no difference between lorcaserin and a placebo in cardiovascular events (CV death, AMI, stroke, HF, hospitalization for unstable angina and myocardial revascularization).2
Tolerability – This is a modern drug with high tolerability and low incidence of adverse events, the most commonly reported being cephalea (headache), dizziness, fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, constipation in patients without diabetes, hypoglycemia, back pain, cough, and fatigue in diabetic patients – these being uncommon and temporary effects.2,4,1
Belviq® in Latin America
Eurofarma and Eisai, a Japan-based multinational pharmaceutical company and research and development leader, have signed a marketing and distribution agreement for Belviq in 18 Latin American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela; and Central America and the Caribbean: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama).
“Our presence throughout Latin America, excellent sales performance and ethical standards were decisive in our partnership with Eisai, bringing the drug to a very relevant market worldwide,” explained Martha Penna, Vice President of Innovation at Eurofarma.
About Eurofarma Group
Eurofarma is a health company focused on offering products and services to improve people’s lives with quality, innovation and fair prices across all major pharmaceutical segments: Prescription, Generic, Hospital, Oncology, and Nonprescription Drugs, as well as Veterinary Medicine. In Brazil alone, the company offers 287 different molecules and over 600 products. Eurofarma is a leader in medical prescriptions, serving 30 different specialties and covering 101 therapeutic classes, which account for 89% of retail pharmaceutical sales. It holds one of the largest sales forces in Brazil, carrying out approximately 600,000 contacts with doctors per year.
Founded in 1972 and the first pharmaceutical multinational with 100% Brazilian capital, it has own operations in 20 countries and maintains a major manufacturing park in Brazil, as well as plants in 6 other Latin American countries. The group reported sales of BRL 4.3 billion in 2018 and employs over 6,700 employees.
Eurofarma in social media
Facebook: @eurofarma | LinkedIn: @eurofarma | Instagram:@eurofarma_br
Press Information
G&A – Public Relations
André Pascowitch – +55 (11) 5090-8646 – andre@gaspar.com.br
Guilherme Gaspar – +55 (11) 3065-3045 – guilherme@gaspar.com.br
Clinical studies have shown that after 52 weeks of treatment, almost half of lorcaserin patients lose 5% or more of their body weight, and 22% of those patients lose 10% or more of their body weight¹.
Available throughout Brazil, the product works best for weight loss and maintenance when complementing a lifestyle change – a good diet and physical activity. Being neither a narcotic nor a stimulant, Belviq® has good tolerability and therefore promotes adherence to treatment. Cardiovascular safety has also been proven by clinical studies – the rate of cardiovascular events with drug use was similar to the placebo group²,1.
“Belviq® further expands our solutions for combating obesity and overweight, and provides safety and convenience to doctors and their patients. The combination of effectiveness, safety and tolerability of this innovative drug helps reduce the yo-yo effect, which affects many patients suffering from this disease,” said Roberta Junqueira, Commercial Director at Eurofarma.
Epidemiology –The prevalence of obesity is increasing among adults in both developed and developing countries, and in Brazil it is no different. Recent data indicate that 55,7% of Brazilians are overweight and approximately 20% of Brazilians are already considered obese. According to the Ministry of Health, one in five Brazilians suffer from obesity. Over the past 10 years, the obese population in Brazil grew from 11.8% in 2006 to 19,9% in 2018, representing a 67,8% increase. This figure is even more alarming when we consider the 24-34-year-olds, among which obesity has grown by 84,2%³.
Lorcaserin was approved in 2012 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to complement a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic-weight control in adult patients with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30kg/m² (obese) or ≥27 kg/m² (overweight), in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbidity (e.g. hypertension, dyslipidemia, or type 2 diabetes). The product was launched in the United States in 2013, and approved in Mexico and Brazil in 2016.
Cardiovascular Safety – A study of 12,000 obese or overweight patients with atherosclerosis or multiple risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes has proven the cardiovascular safety of lorcaserin treatment. The study found that long-term treatment does not increase the incidence of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE), including myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death. The primary safety objective of the study was met, and an improvement in several cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure, lipids, blood glucose and renal function, was also demonstrated. In addition, lorcaserin treatment decreases the likelihood of diabetes, induces remission of hyperglycemia, and reduces the risk of microvascular complications in obese or overweight patients; aiding in making lifestyle changes for the control of chronic weight and metabolic health2,3.
Belviq® is the only drug for treating obesity and overweight with proven cardiovascular safety. The cardiovascular safety study concerned (CAMELLIA-TIMI 61) was conducted in eight countries with a median follow-up of 3.3 years, and showed no difference between lorcaserin and a placebo in cardiovascular events (CV death, AMI, stroke, HF, hospitalization for unstable angina and myocardial revascularization).2
Tolerability – This is a modern drug with high tolerability and low incidence of adverse events, the most commonly reported being cephalea (headache), dizziness, fatigue, nausea, dry mouth, constipation in patients without diabetes, hypoglycemia, back pain, cough, and fatigue in diabetic patients – these being uncommon and temporary effects.2,4,1
Belviq® in Latin America
Eurofarma and Eisai, a Japan-based multinational pharmaceutical company and research and development leader, have signed a marketing and distribution agreement for Belviq in 18 Latin American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela; and Central America and the Caribbean: Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama).
“Our presence throughout Latin America, excellent sales performance and ethical standards were decisive in our partnership with Eisai, bringing the drug to a very relevant market worldwide,” explained Martha Penna, Vice President of Innovation at Eurofarma.
Sources:
1 Smith SR et al. Behavioral Modification and Lorcaserin for Overweight and Obesity Management (BLOOM) Study Group. Multicenter, placebo-controlled trial of lorcaserin for weight management. N Engl J Med. 2010 Jul 15;363(3):245-56.
2 Bohula EA et al. CAMELLIA–TIMI 61 Steering Committee and Investigators. Cardiovascular Safety of Lorcaserin in Overweight or Obese Patients. N Engl J Med. 2018 Sep 20;379(12):1107-1117.
3 Vigitel Brazil 2018: surveillance of risk and protective factors for chronic diseases by telephone survey: estimates of Frequency and sociodemographic distribution of risk and protective factors for chronic diseases in the capitals of the 26 Brazilian states and the Federal District in 2018.
4 Bohula EA et al. CAMELLIA-TIMI 61 Steering Committee Investigators. Effect of lorcaserin on prevention and remission of type 2 diabetes in overweight and obese patients (CAMELLIA-TIMI 61): a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2018 Nov 24;392(10161):2269-2279.
About Eurofarma Group
Eurofarma is a health company focused on offering products and services to improve people’s lives with quality, innovation and fair prices across all major pharmaceutical segments: Prescription, Generic, Hospital, Oncology, and Nonprescription Drugs, as well as Veterinary Medicine. In Brazil alone, the company offers 287 different molecules and over 600 products. Eurofarma is a leader in medical prescriptions, serving 30 different specialties and covering 101 therapeutic classes, which account for 89% of retail pharmaceutical sales. It holds one of the largest sales forces in Brazil, carrying out approximately 600,000 contacts with doctors per year.
Founded in 1972 and the first pharmaceutical multinational with 100% Brazilian capital, it has own operations in 20 countries and maintains a major manufacturing park in Brazil, as well as plants in 6 other Latin American countries. The group reported sales of BRL 4.3 billion in 2018 and employs over 6,700 employees.
Eurofarma in social media
Facebook: @eurofarma | LinkedIn: @eurofarma | Instagram:@eurofarma_br
Press Information
G&A – Public Relations
André Pascowitch – +55 (11) 5090-8646 – andre@gaspar.com.br
Guilherme Gaspar – +55 (11) 3065-3045 – guilherme@gaspar.com.br