Acomplia should be withdrawn, European authorities

Source: Healthcare Digital

Date :24/10/2008 08:46:53

European authorities said on Thursday, October 23, Sanofi-Aventis's anti-obesity drug Acomplia should be withdrawn from the market because of side effects including suicide and depression.

Obese or overweight people using Acomplia have twice the risk of mental disorders than those taking a placebo, the European Medicines Agency, which regulates treatments in the 27-nation European Union, said in a statement.

It said doctors should not issue any prescriptions for Acomplia and patients taking the drug should consult their doctor or pharmacist to discuss their treatment.

Sanofi had expected Acomplia to become a blockbuster, once forecasting annual sales of more than US$3 billion, but the medicine has been dogged by controversy and was refused marketing clearance in the US last year.