Appetite-suppressing drugs which are used to assist weight loss have been banned by the European Commission, and the only product of the type available in the Republic will be withdrawn.
The only medicine in the category on licence in the State is Ionamin, which is manufactured by Pfizer (Ireland) Ltd. This is available on prescription only and has been used mainly in cases of obesity.
The Commission decided to ban the medicines containing anorectic agents, which help to suppress the appetite, after studies showed them to be ineffective and resulted in concerns about their safety after weighing the risks against the benefits.
A spokesman for the Irish Medicines Board, which is the Minister for Health's advisory body on the safety, control and regulation of medicines, said there were no products of this type being sold over the counter. He said the appetite-suppressing drugs worked through the central nervous system and could result in dependency, agitation and pulmonary problems.
The European Commission named a number of the anorectic agents, including phentermine, which is contained in Ionamin.
The spokesman said the Irish Medicines Board would be contacting the company and all the relevant parties about the withdrawal of the medicine.
The European Commission decided on the ban in response to an opinion given by the committee of the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products.
Each member-state of the European Union is required to comply with the Commission decision within 30 days of notification.