United Kingdom. The manufacturer of the anti-obesity drug orlistat (Xenical: Roche) has advised people against obtaining it other than by a prescription issued by a doctor. The company is concerned about reports that a direct mail company in Jersey has advertised the supply of orlistat without prescription. Orlistat is not intended for people who want to lose weight for cosmetic reasons but for the clinically obese whose weight represents a risk to their health.

The company is working with the Medicines Control Agency to investigate the reports.

Reference: The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol. 261, p. 766, 14 November 1998.