2007年VOA标准英语-First Non-Prescription Diet Pill Approved by US

By Carol Pearson
Washington
15 June 2007
 

With obesity¹ an epidemic² practically worldwide, drug companies have been in a race to find a diet pill that can be sold without a prescription³. Glaxo Smith Klein won that race with a new drug called Alli.  But, as VOA's Carol Pearson reports, it is no magic pill.  Alli requires a commitment to a change in eating habits.

Americans alone spend more than a $1 billion a year on weight loss products. Imagine if the tens of millions of people worldwide had easy access to a diet pill.

"The market is so enormous and there are so many overweight people desperate for solutions," says Professor Kelly Brownell is director of Yale University's Center for Eating and Weight Disorders⁴.

Alli is a non-prescription version of Xenical, a more potent⁵, prescription-only weight loss drug. Both drugs are brand names for orlistat. They work by blocking fat in the digestive track.  The manufacturer admits Alli is not a magic pill, and users need to make a commitment to lifestyle change.

"The typical pattern for people on weight loss drugs is to go into it with a lot of enthusiasm," says Professor Brownell. "Many people don't lose as much as they like. They get discouraged and go off the drug."

Glaxo Smith Klein advises people to use Alli in combination with a low-fat diet and exercise.  But there are some side effects.  The pill can cause gas, painful stomach cramps⁶ and diarrhea.

While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Alli, the FDA's health advisory⁷ panel rejected another weight-loss drug - rimonabant - because studies show it increases the risk of suicidal thoughts in some patients.  Rimonabant's manufacturer suggested that physicians screen patients before they prescribe this drug. Rimonabant is available in Europe under the brand name Acomplia.

Experts say while weight-loss drugs can be helpful, they miss the larger point, which is more emphasis on preventing obesity in the first place.

1 obesity   

n.肥胖，肥大

参考例句：

• One effect of overeating may be obesity.吃得过多能导致肥胖。
• Sugar and fat can more easily lead to obesity than some other foods.糖和脂肪比其他食物更容易导致肥胖。

2 epidemic   

n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的

参考例句：

• That kind of epidemic disease has long been stamped out.那种传染病早已绝迹。
• The authorities tried to localise the epidemic.当局试图把流行病限制在局部范围。

3 prescription   

n.处方，开药；指示，规定

参考例句：

• The physician made a prescription against sea- sickness for him.医生给他开了个治晕船的药方。
• The drug is available on prescription only.这种药只能凭处方购买。

4 disorders   

n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调

参考例句：

• Reports of anorexia and other eating disorders are on the increase. 据报告，厌食症和其他饮食方面的功能紊乱发生率正在不断增长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The announcement led to violent civil disorders. 这项宣布引起剧烈的骚乱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 potent   

adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的

参考例句：

• The medicine had a potent effect on your disease.这药物对你的病疗效很大。
• We must account of his potent influence.我们必须考虑他的强有力的影响。

6 cramps   

n. 抽筋, 腹部绞痛, 铁箍 adj. 狭窄的, 难解的 v. 使...抽筋, 以铁箍扣紧, 束缚

参考例句：

• If he cramps again let the line cut him off. 要是它再抽筋，就让这钓索把它勒断吧。
• "I have no cramps." he said. “我没抽筋，"他说。

7 advisory   

adj.劝告的，忠告的，顾问的，提供咨询

参考例句：

• I have worked in an advisory capacity with many hospitals.我曾在多家医院做过顾问工作。
• He was appointed to the advisory committee last month.他上个月获任命为顾问委员会委员。