When orlistat (Xenical), the first of a new generation of slimming pills, hit the market in the late 1990s I was optimistic that it would prove a key weapon in the fight against obesity.

The FDA began investigating orlistat, sold over the counter as Alli, and its potential links to liver damage earlier this year after concerns were raised about potentially harmful side effects.

The latter was represented by his or rhubarb with orlistat weight loss drug.