Following a challenge to the European Commission's decision that the anorectic drug amfepramone (diethylpropion, Tenuate Dospan) must be withdrawn (PJ, April 15, p572), the European Court has told the Commission that its decision must be suspended until the Court reaches a final decision.
As a result, the Medicines Control Agency has lifted the ban on these products. The MCA says that it has asked the Committee on Safety of Medicines for advice on the safety and efficacy of these products "as a matter of urgency".
The MCA says that the European Court has not "currently" made any decision to suspend the Commission's decision to ban phentermine (Ionamin, Duromine).
Amfepramone has not been actively marketed in the UK in recent years.