R.Ph.s give thumbs-down to Rx-to-OTC switch of Xenical

The majority of pharmacists are not in favor of an Rx-to-OTC switch of Roche’s antiobesity drug Xenical (orlistat), judging from the results of a recent Instant Poll on Drug Topics’ Web site. To the question “Should a weaker-strength version of Xenical be approved over the counter for weight loss?” 63% of the 224 respondents gave a thumbs-down to a switch, 35% voted in favor of it, and about 2% said they don’t know.