An obesity drug approval sparks a debate
June 25, 2008
An obesity drug has been given an approval for NHS usage in England and Wales, in spite of probable linkages to a greater risk of depression and suicidal tendencies. Rimonabant is already being used by thousands of people in the UK. Coupled with exercise, it could help a patient lose up to 10 per cent of his or her body weight. Scotland is yet to approve the drug owing to safety concerns.
An obesity specialist welcomed the NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) ruling. Dr David Haslam of the National Obesity Forum stated: “We can be reassured that they have closely looked at the evidence and have made an appropriate decision. This is a very good drug. There are many people who have tried everything else, with little success, who might gain from it.”
Professor the UK Faculty for Public Health president, Alan Alan Maryon-Davis countered: “These drugs may be right for some patients, but they are not really the long-term solution. They may have some potentially serious side-effects. Ultimately the solution has to be, eat a little less and move a little more.”
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