German insurers rule against obesity, insulin drugs (Reuters, 18 Oct 06)

German state health insurers will not subsidise the cost of Sanofi-Aventis's Acomplia obesity treatment and will not recommend that doctors prescribe a costly, inhaled form of insulin made by Pfizer. Germany's Joint Committee (G-BA), a self-regulating body of doctors and state health insurers which makes recommendations, said in a statement this month that it had classified Acomplia as a "lifestyle" drug. The G-BA said the decision enacted a law ruling that the cost of medicines for dieting, appetite control or weight loss should not be borne by the German healthcare system.

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