A representative of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported on April 7 that GlaxoSmithKline got a conditional consent from the regulatory board in order to market Xenical, a drug intended for
weight loss. Last Thursday, the British pharmaceutical company received an official letter stating that the medicine would be distributed under another brand, which is Alli. Laura Alvey, FDA's spokeswoman, though declined to talk regarding the possible measures GlaxoSmithKline can take in order to get the approval of the panel.
It must be noted that in 2005, the British drug industry purchased the rights for a nonprescription market of Xenical from its manufacturer,
Roche Holding AG without prescription. Roche currently sells the drug by prescription. Xenical or orlistat (generic name) prevents the absorption of fat by the body and yet allows the discharge of excess oil or gas.
According to GlaxoSmithKline, the approval for a nonprescription market of the drug would help lower the increasing rate of obesity problems in the US. Yet, some people though are concerned about the
efficiency and safety of the drug. It is said that the drug can result to kidney stones, gall stones, and hepatitis. If approved, the drug is also expected to boost the sales of GlaxoSmithKline.
