More news related to misguided government-sanctioned obesity "cures"…

It seems that Big Brother and Big Pharma just can't seem to make ends meet with the billions they make from prescription drugs…

So they've teamed up to offer the first FDA-approved over-the-counter, non-prescription diet pill for domestic sale. The new, reduced-strength version of Roche's fat-blocking orlistat drug (marketed as Xenical) will soon be offered by GlaxoSmithKline, PLC. The medication prevents the body from absorbing exactly what it actually needs to lose weight: Fats.

Side effects of the full-strength version include loose stools (for about half of trial participants) with an oily, spotting discharge. Other sources in the AP article on the new drug characterize the FDA approval of an OTC version as the "height of recklessness," since studies have shown the medication to be linked to cancerous colonic lesions…

I consider it needless, since any number of natural supplements (like those based on unfairly-maligned ephedrine) can help anyone who's willing to lose weight - without any of the risky or embarrassing side effects these patented weight-loss drugs can produce.

Of course, these natural supplements will probably be outlawed altogether soon, since the FDA can't make any money on these unpatented therapies. Better stock up on them now… or soon risk oily undies (yuck) and colon cancer at the mainstream's urging.