Weight loss pill praised as “holy grail” is withdrawn from US market over cancer link

A weight loss pill, which was heralded as the holy grail in the battle against obesity, is being withdrawn from the US market after a safety trial found that it was associated with an increased prevalence of cancer.1

The US Food and Drug Administration requested on 13 February that Eisai, the manufacturer of Belviq (lorcaserin), voluntarily withdraw the appetite suppressant from the market. The company has since submitted a request to do just that.

The move comes after the regulator told the public that it was reviewing a possible risk of cancer associated with lorcaserin, on the …