After months of hype in the press and medical journals,  Alli, the weight loss wonder drug has finally been released to the market.  Stores up and down the US and reporting record sales, with stocks already running low in some places.  Of course the beauty of Alli is the fact that it has been approved for Over The Counter (OTC) sale by the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) - this is the first time that such a weight loss drug has been approved without prescription. 

The Wait Is Over - Alli Pills Are Flying Off The Shelves 

While sales are flying high, we are also receiving the initial feedback from what can be very embarrassing and uncomfortable side effects to Alli.  As many had suspected, it seems that the public are more concerned with losing Weight than the side effects of flatulence, oily stools and sudden and uncontrollable bowel movements.  Even though these side effects can be relatively well controlled by reducing the intake of fatty food content, they cannot be alleviated altogether.

Perhaps the greatest market which Alli has now opened up is the mass of obese people who were unable or unwilling to visit their doctor for what can be an embarrassing appointment.  The drug is freely available to any member of the public, ensuring that those who may have been “out of the loop” are now well and truly in with a chance of turning around their lives.  Prior to the launch of the drug, research had shown that one of the major drawbacks people had to prescription weight loss drugs was the fact they involved an embarrassing visit to the doctor, and the need to “face the facts”.  

In a market place which has always been competitive, many rivals are highlighting the potential side effects, and the problems which they may cause. Myths, untruths and facts have been merged into one, with all sorts of rumours and counter-rumours doing the rounds.  While it is being hailed as a wonder drug even the distributor, GalxoSmithkline, are stressing the need for a long term change in eating and exercise habits for users.  The evidence which has been built up during the testing period shows a very marked increase in weight loss when using the drug, but many are starting to voice concerns about the effects after the “patient” has stopped taking the treatment.

In the cold light of day it is inevitable that once treatment has finished there needs to be a major change in the lifestyle and exercise habits of the users - something which many will not even consider when the treatment is working so well for them.  The initial joy of actually being able to reduce their weight may soon cloud over into dark depression if the weight is regained after usage has stopped.  As the treatment is still very new there is little information about any long term side effects from prolonged use - something which may become a potential problem at some point in the future.  

Currently the standard price for a 60 capsule kit of the 60g treatment costs $50, with a 90 capsule kit in the region of $60 - a definite encouragement to buy in bulk! One such side effect on the business front is the growth in internet sites offering “Alli” at rock bottom prices - many of which are fakes and have the potential to harm users.  The fact that the treatment is now available in your local chemist should hopefully reduce the sales of illegal drugs in the US, although there is still a growing demand for the treatment overseas, prior to approval in other countries.

There is real concern about internet sales and while there is little which can really be done to stop the culprits, without the help of the public, it is essential that any instances of fake or harmful “Alli” drugs are reported as soon as possible.  This illegal trade needs to be stopped as soon as possible but it is easier said than actually done.

Perhaps the other main worry which the distributors have is the potential for misuse and abuse of the treatment.  While it has been well documented that there are a growing number of obese people in the US (with many children dramatically overweight) there has also been problems with eating disorders and starvation in younger members of the community.  School life has been getting tougher and tougher, and there has been a major increase in the number of outside pressures for younger ladies in particular.  For many this has resulted in eating disorders and there are real concerns that these vulnerable members of society may be able to use the drugs without anyone even knowing.

There is no doubt that the authorities will be keeping a close eye on the potential side effects and abuse of Alli.  While the treatment is now available over the counter, the age limit for purchases may will be reviewed at some stage.  GlaxoSmithkline are very keen to ensure that all goes well with the launch, and any negative criticism is kept to a minimum, with the US in particular a notorious country for legal and compensation challenges!

It will be interesting to see how sales progress over the next few weeks, with some expecting an initial down turn until sales stabilise, while some are predicating yet more sales increases for the treatment.  It has been some time since any treatment caught the publics eye as much as Alli, and while short term sales should flatten off at some stage, the long term future looks very rosy both for the company involved and the many potential users.

We will continue to monitor the sales patterns and sales figures over the coming months, and advise of any changes in due course.  This treatment really has the potential for massive sales growth in due course, with the chance to be one of the best ever selling treatments in the world.  For many the issue of weight can be life changing, but finally we now have a treatment which has the chance of opening up a whole new world.