No stock of orlistat !!!!

i spoke to my doc yesterday re getting something else in place,, and he said there was nothing else available, and i would just have to wait.. and carry on with my sensible eating :-)

Hi Devonmaid

There are Generic Orlistat but I don't think the chemists want it to go over the counter for Prescriptions as they cost an awful lot more money than the Orilistat that we get with our Scripts.Try ringing around and ask for Alli 60mg and see what response you get. I am getting my wife to do it later on as most of our local chemists know my voice.

Don't mention Orlistat.

Good luck Mike

PS you lucky devil living in the beautiful county of Devon.

I never thought to ask my pharmacist but has anyone else considered paying for Xenical? Can we buy it over the counter in conjunction with a prescription? I know this sounds daft but if the Health Service will not give us the real thing then could buying a course to tide us over be an option? Anyone know?

Take lots of money with you because it costs a fortune over the counter.

Mike

i'm one of the lucky ones i guess in that i haven't started yet, so i can wait to see what happens.. it must be difficult for those of you that have been on it already..

On my first week I lost 5 lb....then Mother's Day came and was at son's for dinner....knowing how he cooks I just couldn't take a tablet..even thought about taking my own veggies as he roasts all of his...and had cauliflower cheese to boot...and yorkshire pudding which I didn't take...(but I felt I might hurt his feelings so decided not to.....and all this week I've had something on every day food related to take me out of the house....so I didn't want to start again although apart from Sunday lunch I have been extremely good where at all possible.....so....I'm beginning to wonder if, on the second time around, I could actually do better than the first time after I went off the blueys - gosh, I might just find out sooner than I think if they don't come back sometime soon.

Hi all

I've managed to get a script from my GP for Alli, scheduled to start tomorrow. Have been counting calories since Monday and list 4 lb, but it has shown that you really have to monitor fat, to remain below levels advised, so the exercise of going it alone has helped in that respect. I don't know if any of you have used the free app called my fitness pal, but really helps to count both calories & fat.

Will keep you all posted on weight loss/ side effects.

For those of you who haven't asked your GP it may be worth a go

to get Alli in the interim. Good luck

That's great so you can get started. What mg is in each tablet...I understood that they were only half the strength of Orlistat - in that case do you have to take 2 three times a day? Best wishes for this week.

Thank you quill-drill the doc suggested I start with 60mg and if I feel it's necessary increase to 2 tablets. Im happy to start with 1 tablet then see how I get on. Will probably wait for orlistat to arrive then changeover. At least I can get started.

That's a good idea to ease yourself in....as time goes on you will become more confident about just how far you can stretch the boundries.....best wishes!

Hi

I am new to this site but thought it would be good to provide the following link to all issues regarding prescription drugs.

www.prescriber.org.uk

The following link will take you directly to information about Orlistat.

www.prescriber.org.uk/2012/01/orlistat-stock-shortage/

It clearly suggests that Orlistat, 120mg, is not going to be available for several months. However it further states that GPs have been advised that there is an alternative available for prescription.

Needless to say, I will be taking a copy of this information to my GP tomorrow.

Check it out!

Hi Pamstan,

I deleted your second post as it was reiterating the first one. Posts with links in are automatically sent for moderation to stop spammers putting dubious links on the site.

As long as the link is genuine and useful they will get approved.There is a delay as I need to check each one and work "normal" office hours so they will be approved the next working day. We will be looking at having more moderators in the future so this may speed up.

Regards,

Emis Moderator

The company Roche who produce Xenical

who supply the NHS because its the only drug

on the market that works. (so no other option)

should be made by the goverment

to hold stock back for the NHS

and stop selling it to other countries for a better price.

this like many other 'out of stock' medicines

is the reason why they have 'manufacturing issues'

cant keep up with the demand with other countries

that there selling it to

Here is a reply to Roche when I enquired as to what was wrong with the Orlistat supply.

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the supply of Xenical (orlistat).

I can confirm that there is currently a supply issue. Due to on-going manufacturing issues Roche remains out of stock of Xenical 120mg capsules. Following a recent meeting with the European Medicines Agency, further investigations are required and therefore the next update is not expected until mid-May. Roche cannot however guarantee that supply of Xenical will be resumed at this time. We apologise for this and are making every effort to resolve the situation and make supplies available as quickly as possible.

There are alternative orlistat preparations in the UK, including a generic product, and you should discuss this further with your prescriber. Should they require any further information they can contact Roche Medical Information on 0800 328 1629.

Please be aware that the information that you have provided in relation to this enquiry will be held on our secure database in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 for a period deemed necessary by Roche. If you would prefer us not to hold your details then please let us know.

I hope this information will be useful. If you should require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me or a member of the Medical Information Team on Freephone 0800 328 1629.

Yours sincerely

Manisha Smith, BPharm

Medical Information Specialist

I can't believe they have 'manufacturing issues' that will last few months. It must be 'political issues' (money!).

Since December Teva Ltd has launched their generic Orlistat (manufactured in Poland) and it's not possible to get it as well.

I don't know what is the issue with Alli, I asked my GP and she said she can write prescription only for Orlistat 120mg and they can't give me Alli x2. It works with other drugs I take, why not with Orlistat?