Suzanne's Story

I struggle with my weight. Ever since the birth of my daughter when I was almost 40, my waistline has been at the mercy of my moods and the contents of the fridge after dark. I have managed, with some success, to keep myself out of the plus-size stores, and in recent years actually won the battle of the bulge for a while. The problem is that the minute I forget to write down every single thing that I eat in a journal, the pounds slowly creep back on.

Winter's the hardest. Living on rabbit food and grilled chicken loses its panache when the weather outside is calling for rich creamy soups and warm bread to ward off the chill. With summer still months away, the need to worry about how I'll look at the beach isn't even on my radar screen.

At least it wasn't until last week. I was riding on the subway when an advertisement caught my eye. In the centre of the ad was a beautiful young woman swimming in a pool; her long hair swirling around her, her slender frame wrapped only in enough of a bathing suit to cover the essentials. The caption on the poster read,

"Last vacation, was the first time I ever dared to wear a bikini."

The copy below the caption continues,

"What would you do with a few pounds less? For your medical treatment options, as your doctor about Julie's story."

I have to admit, for one brief shining moment I was caught in the ad's seductive message, until I read the graffiti below the picture. Someone had scratched out the caption and written, "What would you do if you thought you were beautiful?"

Good question. In a society where obesity rates are reaching epidemic levels, we are becoming increasingly obsessed with the holy grail of slender. As an on again, off again warrior in the weight war, the idea that there is a shortcut to a perfect size 8 is enticing, so I decided to find out about "Julie's story" for myself.

The "medical treatment options" mentioned in the ad refer to a drug named, Xenical, a product of drug giant, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. According to Roche, Xenical is a prescription medication that can help seriously overweight people lose weight and keep it off by blocking the absorption of dietary fats. The question that immediately comes to mind is why is it being promoted for women who dream about life, "with a few pounds less?"

Short answer: because it sells. According to Terence H. Young, Chair of Drug Safety Canada, " Drugs are approved based on an appropriate balance of risk and benefit. It's illegal to promote them beyond what they are approved because the risk will outweigh the benefits. These advertisements are illegal because they promote Xenical for slim women who wish to lose a few pounds – an unjustified risk."

But that certainly hasn't stopped Roche from raking in the profits. According to Roche's 2004 Annual Report, the company showed, "Sales growth significantly ahead of the market", while doubling its net income. The pharmaceutical division was singled out for its gains in market share as well as having its "operating profit margin up significantly."

Given the cost, Xenical can likely take credit, at least in part, for that increase.

"For a hundred bucks a month you lose a pound or two and get oily farts and uncontrollable slimy stools," said family physician Dr. Warren Bell, a board member of PharmaWatch, an organization that encourages citizen reporting of adverse drugs effects. "Only the desperate or foolish - or the people who make Xenical - would call this a captivating arrangement."

Dr. Bell isn't exaggerating, either. According to the US Federal Drug Administration (FDA), Xenical's side effects include, "Oily spotting, gas with discharge, urgent need to have a bowel movement, oily or fatty stools, oily discharge, an increased number of bowel movements" and an "inability to control bowel movements." Here's the kicker, The FDA considers this only a partial list of side effects.

"What's the use of losing a few pounds to look good in a bathing suit, if you get banned from the hotel swimming pool?" said Terrace Young.

As Barbara Bourrier-LaCroix asks, "Does “Julie’s Story” still sound sexy to you?" I would vote not. But that hasn't stopped the widespread acceptance of Xenical. Last month, New Zealand joined Australia as the second country to approve the sale of Xenical without a doctor's prescription. Can Canada be far behind?

WEBSITES OF THE WEEK:

Forget about Julie. Read Barbara Bourrier-LaCroix's story instead. Visit The Canadian Women's Health Network at www.cwhn.ca

PharmaWatch is a non-profit advocacy group that believes patients/consumers must play a central role in prescription drug safety in Canada.

"Lose weight. Gain life." That's the slogan on the "official" Xenical website located at www.roche-obesity.net (note the url).

 

Written by: Suzanne Elston
Originally published Friday, March 11, 2005 in: Belleville Intelligencer and Niagara Falls Review
Posted: March 22, 2005