Acomplia (Rimonabant) approved by Nice

Nice, the UK watchdog that approves new drugs for use within the NHS (National Health Service in the UK) has recommended the use of Acomplia. The date of the approval was 24th June, 2008.

The drug has been recommended for use with the following caveats:

• The patient must be trying to lose weight themselves by using diet and exercise.
  
  
• They must have had problems taking the other diet pills currently available on the NHS - Xenical and Reductil.
  
  
• They should be obese (a BMI of 30 or more) or overweight (a BMI of 27 or more with other risk factors including high cholesterol or type II diabetes).
  
  
• They must not suffer from depression or be receiving antidepressants - taking Acomplia has been linked to mental health problems, suicidal thoughts and even suicide itself. However, in the UK it is felt that the risks of being obese outweigh the risks of taking Acomplia. This view echoes the view of the EMA in July 2007. However, prospective patients should bear in mind that Acomplia has not yet been approved for use in the US because of the concerns about mental health.

The chief executive of NICE, Andrew Dillon, stated: "This is good news for patients for whom orlistat (Xenical) and sibutramine (Reductil) are not effective."