Daily Telegraph: Slimming pills cost NHS pounds 1m a week

By Nicole Martin

THE NHS is spending almost pounds 1 million a week on anti-obesity drugs as doctors fight to help patients to lose weight, official figures show.

In the first three months of this year, GPs issued 291,138 anti-obesity prescriptions at a cost of pounds 12 million, according to data from the Prescription Pricing Authority.

This is set to reach pounds 47.9 million by the end of the year, up 10.5 per cent on last year.

The drug Xenical, which inhibits fat absorption, and Reductil, an appetite suppressant, were recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in 2001.

Doctors can prescribe them if patients have failed to lose weight after three months of dieting and exercise.

Corin Taylor, the research director for the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "People should take more responsibility for their own lives instead of expecting taxpayers to continue to foot the bill.''

Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, said: "In the right circumstances, these drugs are appropriate.

"The worry is that some people turn to these drugs as a quick fix.'