The US Food and Drug Administration have denied the proposed weight-loss drug Lorcaserin based on marginal results. The proposed drug has been developed by the pharmaceutical company Arena Pharmaceuticals and Eisai Co. In an official statement, FDA officials said that the weight loss efficacy of Lorcaserin was marginal. The weight-loss drug was voted down 9-5 by the FDA advisory panel. According to the FDA, Lorcaserin lowered weight by an average of five percent with an increased risk of breast cancer in animal testing. Despite the successful results of the Lorcaserin trial, the risk factors associated with the weight loss drug were the primary cause for denial.

The dismissal of Lorcaserin also proves that the FDA will not take chances on jeopardizing the health of people. The target market for weight loss drugs is for individuals attempting to lose weight. Weight loss and dietary supplements are a multi-million dollar industry that feeds on the insecurities of overweight individuals. These insecurities are fueled by the public media perception on what a person’s body should look like. The move by the FDA will definitely make pharmaceutical companies that manufacture weight loss drugs more cautious during research and development stages.

Obesity is rising at an alarming rate, and is a genuine health risk for individuals. According to this recent dismissal, the FDA will not allow medicines on the market which can affect the well-being of people in lieu of minor weight reduction. The panel had previously voiced an early opinion against approval for Lorcaserin. Despite this early opinion, Arena Pharmaceuticals seemed to be positive about an approval in the future. Prior to the disapproval of Lorcaserin, Qnexa by Vivus Inc. had received a similar recommendation by the FDA.

Lorcaserin will be initiating a new clinical trial involving obese patients with Type-2 diabetes. The results of this trial will be released by next month. The makers of Lorcaserin, Arena Pharmaceuticals, will meet with FDA officials to address any concerns issued by the panel. Currently, the FDA will issue a decision on Qnex this week. Contrave, another weight loss drug, will be considered by the FDA advisory panel in December.