Responding to news that the latest 'anti-obesity wonder drug' Alli is due to go on sale over the counter tomorrow, Slimming World Managing Director Caryl Richards says: "Doling out pills for weight loss is not a solution to obesity.

"Selling these pills over the counter takes no account of an overweight person's state of mind, their motivation, their self-esteem or their confidence to make changes - changes that could save their life and protect them for life.

"At Slimming World, with 40 years experience of working with overweight and obese people, we have learnt that the key to long-term weight management is a healthy, generous and realistic eating plan combined with real and effective support. It's well known that anyone taking weight loss pills still needs to follow a low fat diet and is encouraged to become more active. Members who follow and stick to Slimming World's eating plan are more successful over six months, losing an average of 21 lbs (10kg), double the average 10lbs weight loss offered by makers of Alli in the same period…