比利时抗肥胖药物的转变：医生、药剂师与患者如何重塑需求

The Belgian Shift in How physicians, pharmacists, and patients are reshaping demand JAUME LLACER, Consultant, Business Analytics & Strategy, IQVIA BelgiumKRISTIN VAN DEN DAELE, Engagement Manager, Business Analytics & Strategy, IQVIA Belgium Table of contents Executive summary1Introduction2Market tipping point3Who purchases AOM?6What is the role of thepharmacist?9The persistence problem11Economics of demand13Phase 1 — Patient background16Phase 2 — Obesity management16Phase 3 — AOM decision16Conclusions18Implications and considerations for pharmacompanies19Appendix20Appendix I: Anti-obesity marketdefinition20Appendix II: Longitudinal patient data (LRx) study20Appendix III: Obesity survey21Appendix IV: Obesity personas decisiontree22References23About the authors24 Executive summary IQVIA Belgium initiated this white paper in response to strong indicatorsfrom its sales data: the Anti-Obesity Medication (AOM) market in Belgiumis expanding rapidly, because of a high prevalence of obesity, despite theabsence of reimbursement. With recent product launches and a robust IQVIA’s national patient survey (see Appendix III)reveals strong willingness to pay for effective weightloss, with preferences shaped by income, age,comorbidities, and prior experience. Four distinct Obesity is a growing public health challenge inBelgium, with 49% of the population overweight and18% living with obesity.1Projections for 2030 suggestfurther increases. In response, the use of Anti-Obesity Despite similar obesity prevalence across genders,women represent ~70% of AOM users, probably due tohigher commitment due to prior weight-loss attempts.In contrast, men primarily consult their GPs, and dueto their cardiometabolic profiles, AOM treatment may For pharma companies, the evolving landscape callsfor broader GP engagement, pharmacist activation,and patient-centric onboarding strategies. Monitoring Persistence and adherence remain a challenge: Mostpatients discontinue treatment within six months, andthose who remain on treatment are not consistent Introduction This white paper offers a deep dive into the currentstate of AOM use in Belgium. It explores patientdemographics, prescribing patterns across generalpractitioners and specialists, and the growing demandof these therapies despite the lack of reimbursement— highlighting patients’ willingness to pay out-of-pocket and what factors are at play. We also shareinsights from a national patient survey that explores People living with excess weight are increasinglycommon across Belgium. According to Sciensano’s2022–2023 Food Consumption Survey, nearly half ofBelgians (49%) are overweight, with approximately18% classified as obese.1These figures are not juststatistics, they highlight the need of addressingobesity not merely as a lifestyle issue, but as a chronicdisease with far-reaching implications for individuals,healthcare systems, and society at large. The trends By bringing together patient perspectives and marketdynamics, this white paper aims to provide an up- Recognizing obesity as a chronic disease, the BelgianAssociation for the Study of Obesity (BASO) calls fora comprehensive, multidisciplinary response. Thisis especially relevant as the therapeutic landscapeevolves. Anti-obesity medications (AOMs throughthis article refer to both on-label medications forobesity or medications commonly used in weight Market tipping point Belgium’s obesity burden is rising while care remainsfragmented. The question is no longer whether AOMswill reshape care, but how fast and through whom.In just a few years, Belgium’s (prescription bound)AOM market almost tripled the number of on-drugpatients, from around 50,000 patients in 2022 to more roughly 30% of GPs and about half of endocrinologistsin around six months. This is the pattern of acategory tipping point, once efficacy is believed to Since tirzepatide’s launch, the number of GPprescribers of AOMs has risen from approximately6,000 to 7,300, representing a 19% increase. Given that It means that for a meaningful amount of people livingwith obesity, pharmacotherapy has become an acceptedpart of care. The way prescribers behave confirmsthis shift. Before the most recent launch wave, AOMbrands built slowly where prescribing uptake sat with Concentration adds a useful nuance. The rise in AOMprescribing is not driven by a handful of existinghigh-prescribing doctors increasing their volume. This pattern signals true market expansion, morephysicians are entering the market, not just deepeningactivity within a narrow cohort. However, the high control as a tool for reducing cardiometabolic risk.6When treatment options address both obesity and itsassociated cardiovascular burden, GPs may feel more prescribing during shortages, describing curbs on a list ofAOMs for weight and prioritization of diabetes, however, For pharma, that changes the route to impact. The jobis not to intensify a small cohort already familiar withAOM, it is to support a