Abbot banking on diet
pills for weightier sales
September 17, 2004
Diet-pill maker Abbot Laboratories – banking on growing concerns about weight-related health problems – has forecast local sales of Bt120 million this year. “More consumers are turning to diet pills, as being overweight has been highlighted as the cause of many health problems,” said Amporn Charoensomsak, the marketing director for pharmaceuticals at the Thai subsidiary of the US-based firm.
Thailand’s diet-pill market is expected to reach Bt450 million this year, and tablets with the generic name phentermine are expected to account for about 44 per cent – or Bt200 million – of this total.
New pills with the generic name sibutramine will make up the bulk of sales. “The latter group is enjoying rising popularity among consumers despite the higher price,” Amporn said.
According to the company, pills in the phentermine bracket create serious side-effects. Containing amphetamine, they cause insomnia and irregular heartbeat. It advises consumers not to take such tablets for more than three months.
Sibutramine pills, which Abbot produces, have fewer side-effects and can be consumed continually for a year, the company said.
Abbot said it picked up most of its customers after they had gone to hospital to shed unwanted kilos.
Source:www.nationmultimedia.com
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