Anti-obesity pill to go on sale
An anti-obesity pill has been approved for over-the-counter sale at chemists in the EU.
The new drug, Orsilat, has been developed for adults with a body mass index of 28 or over and will be available in a lower dose than would be prescribed by a doctor.
It works by reducing the amount of fat absorbed by the body, with manufacturers GlaxoSmithKline claiming it can help people lose 50 per cent more weight than dieting alone.
Community pharmacist, Graham Phillips, who advises the National Obesity Forum, said: "Pharmacists have been dispensing emergency contraception over-the-counter for some time, so they have systems in place like consultation rooms to make sure these pills can be dispensed safely to the correct people."
However, Professor Alan Maryon-Davis, president of the Faculty of Public Health, said it is "all too easy" for people to take such a pill without making necessary lifestyle changes.
A £1.4 million government programme to help overweight and obese children manage their weight was recently launched in Wales.
The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with obesity
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