The UK decision contrasts with Germany where Acomplia is not reimbursed by health insurers because it is deemed simply to improve lifestyle.

Acomplia was once touted as a multibillion-dollar seller, but hopes for the product dimmed last year when a U.S. expert panel recommended against its approval in the world’s biggest market, after it was linked to rare cases of suicidal thoughts.

Sanofi said in October it expected only limited sales of the drug in the next few years, until new clinical trial results testing it in diabetes are ready for submission to regulators in 2009.