Europe signals approval for anti-fat drug

Doctors could be able to prescribe the fat-absorbing drug Xenical by the end of the year

A slimming drug described as the first of a new generation of weight-reduction pills has been recommended for sale in Europe despite fears in the United States of a link with breast cancer.

The European drugs licensing authority recommended Xenical for approval. The drug differs from other treatments because it stops the body absorbing fat instead of speeding up the metabolism.

Its makers, the Swiss Roche group, say Xenical, known generically as orlistat, prevents almost a third of fat in food being digested and has no serious side-effects.

Higher cancer levels

The US Food and Drug Administration remains split over whether to approve the drug after a sample group of users showed higher levels of breast cancer.

In trials, patients on Xenical lost 10% more weight than those on a calorie-controlled diet.

But in a study of 1016 women, only one of the group who did not take the drug developed breast cancer, compared to 10 in the group who did take the revolutionary treatment.

Xenical, which its maker claims is the first in a generation of lipase inhibitors, would be available in Europe on prescription. But before then, it must pass the second stage of the approval process.

Fat's a fatal issue

A breakthrough in obesity treatments would be welcomed both by dieters and doctors seeking to reduce deaths caused by people who are medically overweight.

Following the withdrawal of amphetamine-based drugs because of side-effects, no effective treatments exist for tackling fat in many countries, including Britain.

Obesity is known to be a major contributory factor in many deaths from heart attacks, cancer and strokes.

But Roche's product manager Jenny Milne stresses that Xenical does not abolish the need for a balanced diet and exercise to keep weight down.

She said: "It is not a miracle drug. It is intended for people who are obese. It is not for someone who needs to lose a few pounds to go to the beach.

"You could not just take it and eat what you want."