A parliamentary question addresses concerns about the accessibility of Xenical, a slimming drug, particularly for young women with eating disorders, following its over-the-counter availability. The response outlines measures to regulate its supply through pharmacists and adherence to product information.

AnsweredQoN 223Legislative Council
Asked
7 April 2004
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the slimming drug Xenical, which limits the amount of fat absorbed into the body, and ask - (1) What measures will the Government put in place in Western Australia so that young women with eating disorders will not be able to access this drug? (2) Xenical will be freely available over the counter and without prescription from 1 May. Will there be an age limit attached to the purchase of Xenical? (3) Will only obese people be able to purchase Xenical? Hon SUE ELLERY

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Xenical will be included in schedule 3 of the Poisons Act 1964 from 1 May 2004, and a pharmacist will be required to oversee the supply. The pharmacist will be expected to ensure that the product is only sold in accordance with the product information. Xenical is indicated for people with a body mass index greater than 30, or greater than 27 if other risk factors are present. The normal BMI is 18.5 to 25; for overweight people it is greater than 25; and for obese people it is greater than 30. (2) The product information for Xenical indicates there is no information on its safety in children. (3) As the supply of Xenical must be supervised by a pharmacist, it is expected that its use will be restricted to the indications set out in the product information.
(1) What measures will the Government put in place in Western Australia so that young women with eating disorders will not be able to access this drug? (2) Xenical will be freely available over the counter and without prescription from 1 May. Will there be an age limit attached to the purchase of Xenical? (3) Will only obese people be able to purchase Xenical? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Xenical will be included in schedule 3 of the Poisons Act 1964 from 1 May 2004, and a pharmacist will be required to oversee the supply. The pharmacist will be expected to ensure that the product is only sold in accordance with the product information. Xenical is indicated for people with a body mass index greater than 30, or greater than 27 if other risk factors are present. The normal BMI is 18.5 to 25; for overweight people it is greater than 25; and for obese people it is greater than 30. (2) The product information for Xenical indicates there is no information on its safety in children. (3) As the supply of Xenical must be supervised by a pharmacist, it is expected that its use will be restricted to the indications set out in the product information.
(2) Xenical will be freely available over the counter and without prescription from 1 May. Will there be an age limit attached to the purchase of Xenical? (3) Will only obese people be able to purchase Xenical? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Xenical will be included in schedule 3 of the Poisons Act 1964 from 1 May 2004, and a pharmacist will be required to oversee the supply. The pharmacist will be expected to ensure that the product is only sold in accordance with the product information. Xenical is indicated for people with a body mass index greater than 30, or greater than 27 if other risk factors are present. The normal BMI is 18.5 to 25; for overweight people it is greater than 25; and for obese people it is greater than 30. (2) The product information for Xenical indicates there is no information on its safety in children. (3) As the supply of Xenical must be supervised by a pharmacist, it is expected that its use will be restricted to the indications set out in the product information.
(3) Will only obese people be able to purchase Xenical? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Xenical will be included in schedule 3 of the Poisons Act 1964 from 1 May 2004, and a pharmacist will be required to oversee the supply. The pharmacist will be expected to ensure that the product is only sold in accordance with the product information. Xenical is indicated for people with a body mass index greater than 30, or greater than 27 if other risk factors are present. The normal BMI is 18.5 to 25; for overweight people it is greater than 25; and for obese people it is greater than 30. (2) The product information for Xenical indicates there is no information on its safety in children. (3) As the supply of Xenical must be supervised by a pharmacist, it is expected that its use will be restricted to the indications set out in the product information.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Xenical will be included in schedule 3 of the Poisons Act 1964 from 1 May 2004, and a pharmacist will be required to oversee the supply. The pharmacist will be expected to ensure that the product is only sold in accordance with the product information. Xenical is indicated for people with a body mass index greater than 30, or greater than 27 if other risk factors are present. The normal BMI is 18.5 to 25; for overweight people it is greater than 25; and for obese people it is greater than 30. (2) The product information for Xenical indicates there is no information on its safety in children. (3) As the supply of Xenical must be supervised by a pharmacist, it is expected that its use will be restricted to the indications set out in the product information.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Xenical will be included in schedule 3 of the Poisons Act 1964 from 1 May 2004, and a pharmacist will be required to oversee the supply. The pharmacist will be expected to ensure that the product is only sold in accordance with the product information. Xenical is indicated for people with a body mass index greater than 30, or greater than 27 if other risk factors are present. The normal BMI is 18.5 to 25; for overweight people it is greater than 25; and for obese people it is greater than 30. (2) The product information for Xenical indicates there is no information on its safety in children. (3) As the supply of Xenical must be supervised by a pharmacist, it is expected that its use will be restricted to the indications set out in the product information.
(1) Xenical will be included in schedule 3 of the Poisons Act 1964 from 1 May 2004, and a pharmacist will be required to oversee the supply. The pharmacist will be expected to ensure that the product is only sold in accordance with the product information. Xenical is indicated for people with a body mass index greater than 30, or greater than 27 if other risk factors are present. The normal BMI is 18.5 to 25; for overweight people it is greater than 25; and for obese people it is greater than 30. (2) The product information for Xenical indicates there is no information on its safety in children. (3) As the supply of Xenical must be supervised by a pharmacist, it is expected that its use will be restricted to the indications set out in the product information.
(2) The product information for Xenical indicates there is no information on its safety in children. (3) As the supply of Xenical must be supervised by a pharmacist, it is expected that its use will be restricted to the indications set out in the product information.
(3) As the supply of Xenical must be supervised by a pharmacist, it is expected that its use will be restricted to the indications set out in the product information.

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