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Obesity prescriptions pass 1million after six-fold rise in seven years
Last updated at 23:37pm on 01.02.08
Growing appetite: Increasing demand from patients is driving an increase in prescriptions
In 1999, GPs issued 127,000 prescriptions to help overweight patients lose weight on the NHS.
But figures from The Information Centre for health and social care reveal 1.06million were given out last year, compared with 871,000 in 2005.
It means around 100,000 patients are likely to be taking the £40-a-month drugs, at a cost to the NHS of around £47.5million.
Last night, health experts criticised the findings, saying GPs are turning "too easily" to the prescription pad and that the money could be better spent.
Doctors insisted they are issuing the drugs only as a last resort after obese patients have failed to lose weight by dieting and exercise.
Under Health Service guidelines, two of the most popular drugs - orlistat (Xenical) and sibutramine (Reductil) - are normally issued each month for six months to allow a patient's progress to be checked regularly.
Orlistat, which came on the market in 1998, disrupts the absorption of fat in the intestine so the body excretes it instead.
Users must stick to a low-fat diet, or face unpleasant side effects, including loss of bowel control.
In contrast, the pill sibutramine tricks the brain into believing the stomach is "full" - meaning patients consume up to 20 per cent less food.
It also stimulates the "sensation of fullness" by raising the body's metabolic rate.
Quick fix: Obesity pills curb the appetite and reduce fat intake - but there is no evidence that they help in the long term
Recent figures show around 24 per cent of adults and 16 per cent of children are classified as obese - so overweight that it threatens their health.
The report, released today, comes a week after the Government launched a £372million scheme aimed at cutting obesity levels.
It included a £75million marketing campaign to promote healthy lifestyles to the parents of young children.
Professor Alan Maryon-Davies, president of the Faculty of Public Health, said: "Doctors and other health professionals do not have the time to spend on the in-depth diet and exercise advice that is really needed.
"My fear is that these drugs of last resort are actually used quite early on. It is too easy to turn to the prescription pad."
Andrew Lansley, Tory health spokesman, said: "The burden obesity places on our overstretched NHS is becoming unmanageable.
"Drug treatments are a shortterm solution from a Government that can't see beyond the shortterm.
"They've missed obesity targets, slashed budgets and cut specialist staff."
