NICE backs rimonabant for obesity

More malpractice.

"NICE have approved the use of rimonabant for the treatment of both overweight and obese adults, as an adjunct to a controlled diet and regular exercise, for people who are either intolerant or contra-indicated for orlistat and sibutramine."

NICE = National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence

Hey, stupidos, if they can stay on "a controlled diet" and are getting "regular exercise," then they do not need drugs - only time.

Especially drugs with known and significant side effects.

"Rimonabant was first licensed in 2006 but has suffered a series of setback (sic) which have prevented it from becoming the blockbuster drug it was predicted to have been, including a EMEA warning against using the drug in patients with major depression.

But NICE’s decision, in a final appraisal determination published yesterday, means GPs can prescribe it to overweight and obese patients with associated risk factors such as type 2 diabetes or dyslipidaemia.

A recent Pulse investigation found that, with obesity a growing public health problem, GPs are increasingly having referrals for obesity surgery turned down on grounds of cost – and fuelling greated demand for anti-obesity drugs."

Out of the malpractice fire into the malpractice pan.

"Health and Clinical Excellence"? Not.

Another episode of "When Docs Kill."