The future of treatment in obesity is poised to shift as the FDA relents in its harsh stance against obesity drugs, now that the is reconsidering approval for Vivus’ Qnexa. A varied array of approaches and technologies are now used in the clinical management of obesity, spanning surgery with or without devices, devices without surgery and drugs. Restrictive devices (e.g., Lap-Band) and appetite suppressants currently represent the largest aggregate in the market, but with new drug approvals and the continued evolution of device-based obesity treatments, the balance of the market will change.
Below is illustrated the 2009 and forecast 2019 global market for obesity treatments categorized by type. Device sales and new drugs will begin to gain a greater share of the market.
