It has been on the cards for a while and now finally Alli, GlaxoSmithKline’s lower-dose version of Roche’s best-selling weight loss drug Xenical, is going to be available over –the- counter from UK pharmacies. The capsule is expected to be available from later in the year. It has been on sale for some time in the US and has proved extremely popular – the makers over six months saw the drug net profits of £75m.
Alli, known generically as Orlistat, works by blocking the absorption of a percentage of dietary fat. It can be very successful and the makers claim that dieters can lose up to 50% more weight than though dieting alone. However when medical advice on appropriate diet is not followed, namely if patients do not keep to a low-fat diet, it can have some very unpleasant side effects such as uncontrollable bowel movements and flatulence. GlaxoSmithKline has also warned that the drug is not a ‘magic solution’ but should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise for results to be seen. Xenical and Alli are intended for use by those with severe weight problems and a BMI (body mass index) of over 28.
The decision by EU medical authorities to allow over the counter sales will see pharmacists being trained to measure a customer’s BMI and check that those who wish to take the drug are suitable. The process will be similar to the training given when permission was given for the emergency contraceptive pill to be offered in local pharmacies. Critics have expressed concerns that as weight loss is an ongoing process, pharmacists will not be able to monitor a patient’s progress.
The Royal College of GPs has recommended that those who want the medication should first visit a doctor for advice, to see whether their obesity is caused by a treatable condition and to discuss what diseases they are at risk for. All obese patients are in danger of developing a variety of life-threatening diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. Steve Field of the Royal College also warned, “The side effects of this drug are very unpleasant in many people. The medication should only be used with support and dietary advice.”
Nonetheless, the National Obesity Forum has backed the European Commission’s decision. They have pointed out that considering the millions consumers spend annually on untested and useless ‘miracle pills’ and fad diets, it is far better to give them access to a medication that has been rigorously tested and proven safe and effective.