The UK's first over the counter weight loss and slimming pill is being mis-sold to women who are too slim to need the treatment, according to a report published by the consumer watchdog magazine Which?

The weight loss and slimming drug in question - Alli, also known as Orlistat - should only to given to patients who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28 or over - a BMI of 25 or over is classed as overweight. Which? magazine discovered, however, that women with a healthy BMI of 20 could also purchase the weight loss drug from one pharmacy whilst other pharmasists looked at in the study even refused to sell Alli even though another researcher used was suitable.

The Telegraph (23rd July 2009) reported that  Which? sent seven undercover researchers on a total of 32 visits to buy the slimming pill Alli in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in May and then they asked two experts – an academic and a practising pharmacist – to analyse the visits.

Editor Martyn Hocking said: "Which? has regularly challenged poor practice in pharmacies and we are pleased the RPSGB is planning its own mystery shopping – incorporating feedback and training to pharmacies from the end of 2009."