FDA wants to sell Rx diet pill OTC

[vivilasvegas]

I still don't even understand how a diet pill is going to change anything. Sure, there will be some people who it will help, people who will change their diet for good and not go back to their old ways.
But then there will be tons of people who lose weight, then go right back to eating the way they used to, gain the weight, and start taking the pills all over again. (And that's potential for diet pill abuse.)
Just like people do with WW, South Beach, Atkins, gastric by-pass, etc....

Until those people realize that they can't eat the way they want and keep the weight off, then these pills and what not will never work.

But I digress....

 

[disneysteve]

As far as "diet pills" go, this one is by far the safest one. No real systemic (or internal) actions. It , as others have said, blocks fats from being absorbed. Very safe, effective for some. I am not a big fan of drugs moving from Rx to OTC status, but this is one that, in my opinion as a pharmacist, is ok.

Just to be clear, I'm not debating this point at all. I think the drug is safe. I prescribe it in my practice. But I don't just hand someone a prescription and send them on their way.

I examine them. I interview them about their eating habits and make specific suggestions for how they can improve their diet. I cousel them on exercise. I distribute various printed diet materials. I have them get lab work to check for other problems. I sometimes refer them to a nutritionist. I treat other conditions that I discover such as high blood pressure or diabetes. And I see them back monthly to check on their progress, review their eating habits, counsel them further, and weigh them (this is more important than you might think because it creates accountability for the patient). I praise and encourage them when they lose weight and I work with them to identify problems when they don't.

Weight loss doesn't come in a pill. Putting Xenical OTC is like selling one piece of a jigsaw puzzle. You just won't ever see the final result - the big picture - by doing that.

 

[Maleficent13]

Would that be the same as TELLING people that illegal drugs and cigarettes are bad for you.....

Yes, exactly the same. And I'm for that, too.

Anything in excess can be bad for you. Intelligent consumerism is a must.

 

[hiwaygal]

Just to be clear, I'm not debating this point at all. I think the drug is safe. I prescribe it in my practice. But I don't just hand someone a prescription and send them on their way.

I examine them. I interview them about their eating habits and make specific suggestions for how they can improve their diet. I cousel them on exercise. I distribute various printed diet materials. I have them get lab work to check for other problems. I sometimes refer them to a nutritionist. I treat other conditions that I discover such as high blood pressure or diabetes. And I see them back monthly to check on their progress, review their eating habits, counsel them further, and weigh them (this is more important than you might think because it creates accountability for the patient). I praise and encourage them when they lose weight and I work with them to identify problems when they don't.

Weight loss doesn't come in a pill. Putting Xenical OTC is like selling one piece of a jigsaw puzzle. You just won't ever see the final result - the big picture - by doing that.

You sound like a great, compassionate, caring doctor...someone would be lucky to have you...

But! For everyone doctor like you, I would "guess" that there are about a hundred who don't have the *time* to even listen to their patients. Or who only "listen" for the 2 or 3 minutes of the 5 or 10 minutes you actually get to see them.

We've all heard of doctors who IGNORE patient input and "involvement" simply because of EGO.

I do my own research on the conditions I have (hypothyroidism being one of them) and I would guess I know more than most general practitioners, simply because I only have to "learn" that one thing. They have much more to learn (although I don't think they do, I really don't think they have the time).

Unfortunately, the reality is that there aren't enough good doctors. And if I have one more tool in my arsenal to help myself, then I appreciate that.

I think the vast majority of people who will buy this drug will try it, not like the side effects or not like the results (which I understand are "minimal") and not take it again...they'll move on to the next big thing.

I also think the vast majority of people are not as stupid as we might think.

 

[TENIA66]

Where an I sign up?????

 

[disneysteve]

if I have one more tool in my arsenal to help myself, then I appreciate that.

I think you made some good points.

Regarding what is in your arsenal, or mine, that's where I have a problem. Currently in my area, the insurance companies that do cover prescription diet pills (and most don't) generally cover ONLY Xenical. They don't cover Meridia and Adipex. And I know exactly what will happen if Xenical goes OTC - they won't cover ANY.

So you may gain a tool in your arsenal, but in turn I'll lose a tool from mine. Most of my patients won't be able to afford OTC Xenical just the same as they currently can't afford Meridia and Adipex.

 

[hiwaygal]

Do doctors have any influence at all on what insurance companies will and won't cover?

I guess there might be too many insurance companies to try to do that...

Isn't it always the insurance companies that cause the problems??

 

[disneysteve]

Do doctors have any influence at all on what insurance companies will and won't cover?

If I've got any influence, I certainly haven't discovered it yet.

 

[Caradana]

I'm a huge fan of following the FDA's recommendations. If Xenical is medically suited to OTC, it should go OTC. I feel exactly the same way about Plan B.

 

[disneysteve]

I'm a huge fan of following the FDA's recommendations. If Xenical is medically suited to OTC, it should go OTC.

Just a few months ago, the advisory board recomended selling the cholesterol-lowering drug Mevacor OTC. The FDA voted against that. There's a med that while generally safe, requires periodic blood testing a) to see if it is working and b) to monitor the liver to be sure the drug isn't doing any harm.

So sometimes I'm really not sure what those advisory board folks are thinking when they make their recommendations.