AOA Calls Drug Withdrawal Responsible

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 1997 —The Amencan Obesity Association (AOA) today commended Wyeth-Ayerst for voluntarily suspending sales and distribution of two diet medications Pondimin and Redux in the wake of new reports linking them to potential heart valve abnormalities.

"The information was preliminary but quite alarming and Wyeth acted responsibly to safeguard the health of patients by taking these medications off the market," said Dr. Richard L. Atkinson, M.D., president of the AOA. "Many patients who had success with these medications will find it more difficult to lose weight but we urge them to continue to work with their physicians to battle this serious disease."

"Many obese patients simply cannot lose weight through diet and exercise alone, they need medication for this serious disease. More basic and pharmaceutical research is needed to develop additional tools to fight obesity, the second leading cause of preventable death in this country," said Atkinson.

The American Obesity Association is a tax-exempt organization formed to educate thc public about obesity and advocate for persons with obesity. For further information, call or write AOA at 1250 24th St., N.W., Washington, DC 90037, phone (202) 776-7711 or visit the website: www.obesity.org.