9 Oct 2010

Weight loss withdrawn from sale in Australia

6:06 am on 9 October 2010

A popular weight loss drug, Reductil, has been withdrawn from sale in Australia after research showed it could cause overweight people to suffer a heart attack or stroke.

The pharmaceutical company Abbott said it would immediately cease distribution of the drug.

The European Medicines Agency suspended the marketing of sibutramine earlier this year.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia moved in June to tighten the conditions under which doctors could prescribe the drug.