Bruner to encourage FDA advisory committee to consider effectiveness of obesity drug Lorcaserin

On September 16, Denise Bruner, MD, FASBP will speak in favor of FDA approval for the new obesity drug Lorcaserin, during the open public hearing hour at the Endocrinologic and Metabolic Drug Advisory Committee meeting.

Dr. Bruner is a past president of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP) and will speak to the committee on behalf of the Society's nearly 1,300 members throughout the U.S.  ASBP's physicians know from long experience that obesity can be a lifelong, chronic illness, which ultimately can produce very serious health risks and which can lower the quality of life of those afflicted.  

With recent obesity costs topping $147 billion per year, it is imperative that doctors be better equipped to treat obesity.  Research has shown that medical intervention can assist with weight loss and maintenance, and that weight loss can reverse or retard the development of diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea and numerous other seriously harmful consequences of obesity.

Patients with obesity have few treatment options. While new obesity drugs are reviewed with great caution due to unexpected adverse reactions of past drugs, there is every reason to be confident that the clinical trials for Lorcaserin have adequately identified the relevant risks. Dr. Bruner, in speaking on behalf of the ASBP, will encourage the FDA advisory committee to consider the demonstrated effectiveness and benefits of this drug as thoroughly as it considers any risks.