21st June 2006. For most people, the day was just like any other day, holding not much importance. But for obese people in the UK, the day will be ever remembered. For on this day, Acomplia, the wonder drug for obesity was released for sale on prescription. Research on acomplia as a diet pill was going on for years. And all eyes were on when the wonder drug will be released.

After Fen-phen, Acomplia diet pill was the most anticipated drug and many overweight people had their trust clung on this drug to give them freedom from excessive fat. Therefore, news of approval of acomplia came like rain during a dry spell. It raised the hope that finally they can get rid of fat, which not only gave one a clumsy look but also made them susceptible to many diseases of the heart.

Acomplia is the brand name of Rimonabant. French pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Synthelabo, could easily sense the huge market for any such drug. In the UK, 46% of men and 32% of women have been reported overweight, i.e. who have a body mass index of 25-30 kg/m2. Moreover, 17% of men and 21% of women have been reported obese, i.e. with a body mass index of more than 30 kg/m2. US and Europe together account for 100 million overweight people. This makes the market for Acomplia diet pill a huge one. All agencies, which were authorized to sell acomplia on prescription, informed being flooded with orders just as news of approval in the UK spread.

It is said that hitting at the roots of a problem is the best way to fight the problem. Acomplia diet pill operates in a similar manner. It targets certain receptors in our brain, which offers a pleasure sensation on eating. These are cannabinoid receptors. It is these receptors that are tickled when one consumes marijuana. This is why we feel hungry after smoking a joint of marijuana. Blocking cannabinoid receptors helps dampening appetite. Therefore, weight loss is realized.

Weight loss with acomplia diet pill is remarkable. In a placebo controlled study undertaken on 6800 patients with acomplia (with diet and physical exercise included), the average reduction in weight was as much as 6.5 kgs, as compared to 1.6 kgs through a placebo; i.e. approximately four times as much as placebo.

Rimonabant is still awaiting clearance by FDA in the US. Sanofi plans to launch Rimonabant under the new name Zimulti here. Until such time that the Americans hear about FDA approval, they will have to continue with the fate. And if they are die-hard fans of this drug then they will not mind visiting a doctor in the UK and purchasing acomplia from a local pharmacy here. The pain will certainly be insignificant before the pain of being obese.