Pill tackles smoking and obesity

By JEREMY LAURANCE

A single pill that tackles obesity and smoking could become the next pharmaceutical industry blockbuster after scientists revealed its first results yesterday.

The pill has been shown in two separate American trials to speed weight loss in overweight patients and to double the number of people stopping smoking while preventing subsequent weight gain.

The twin effects of the pill on two of the Western world's cravings could give it a crucial advantage over other drugs on the market.

Preventing weight gain after giving up smoking would remove one of the greatest disincentives for those trying to kick the habit.

Rimonabant, made by the French company Sanofi-Synthelabo, is involved in seven trials in more than 13,000 patients around the world.

It works by blocking cannabis receptors in the brain and was discovered after researchers decided to investigate why cannabis smokers developed the "munchies".

The first results were presented to the American College of Cardiology meeting in New Orleans yesterday.

The drug is due to be on sale in the Britain next year.

- INDEPENDENT