Obesity pill launched in the UK

A weight-loss drug, which is claimed to reduce bodyweight by as much as 10%, is being launched in the UK.

Rimonabant, which is sold under the brand name Acomplia, the first drug to target the areas of the body which control appetite, metabolism and energy use.

It is currently used to treat obese patients, or overweight patients with other conditions such as type 2 diabetes or poor cholesterol.

There is also evidence to suggest that it could help people quit smoking by combating nicotine cravings.

In a series of trials, involving more than 6,000 patients in the US and Europe, it was found that a quarter of participants lost more than 10% of their initial body weight after a year, while around half lost more than 5%.

However, concerns have been raised about the cost of the drug. The drug would cost just over £55 per patient per month, which could potentially cost the NHS billions.

The NHS Confederation stressed that weight loss was predominately about a healthy diet and regular exercise.

However, the manufacturers of Rimonabant, Sanofi Aventis, said that the drug was good value for money, especially when considered against the £7 billion annual cost of tackling problems caused by obesity.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is not expected to issue a review on the use of Rimonabant for another two years, so widespread use of the drug is unlikely to happen until then.

(KMcA)