After Almost a Year Hiatus, GlaxoSmithKline's Popular Diet Pill alli Returns to Market

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare announced today the return of alli® (orlistat 60 mg capsules) to most stores in the U.S. and Puerto Rico since the voluntary retail recall of the product last spring. Replenished supplies of alli® feature improved tamper-evident packaging. alli^® is the only FDA approved over-the-counter weight loss aid clinically proven to help boost weight loss efforts.

In March 2014, GSK Consumer Healthcare issued a voluntary retail recall of alli® when it determined some packages did not contain authentic alli® capsules. The Company's review concluded product tampering occurred after the affected product was shipped to retail outlets. GSK Consumer Healthcare continues to support the Food & Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigations on their tampering investigation.

"Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those who use our products. The alli® product will now feature additional tamper-evident packaging. It's part of GSK Consumer Healthcare's continued commitment to ensure the safety and quality of our products," said Colin Mackenzie, president of GSK Consumer Healthcare North America. "We regret the inconvenience caused for our consumers and retailers, and we are very grateful for their patience as we worked diligently to bring alli® back to market."

"We are thankful for the continued outpouring of support for our alli® brand, and the great interest to learn when it will return to shelf," said Dennis Sabo, marketing director for alli®. "We are pleased to get alli® back into the hands of our loyal consumers, many of whom have contacted us over the last year to express their loyalty to the brand and interest in being able to purchase it again."

alli® has already recaptured the leading position among Diet Supplement brands on major online sites. The alli® brand's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/myalli) will provide the latest updates about where consumers can purchase alli®.

Consumers are encouraged to maintain a reduced-calorie low-fat diet, as recommended in conjunction with alli® use. For more information on alli® (orlistat 60 mg capsules), including details of the consumer alert and retail recall, please visit www.myalli.com.

About alli^®

alli^® (60 mg orlistat capsules) is the only FDA approved over-the-counter weight loss aid clinically proven to help weight loss efforts. alli^® is for weight loss in overweight adults, 18 years and older when used along with a reduced-calorie and low-fat diet.

About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its well-known brands include Nicorette^® and NicoDerm^® CQ, the leading smoking cessation products; alli^®, the only FDA-OTC weight loss aid; as well as medicine cabinet staples, Aquafresh^®, Sensodyne^®, Tums^®, and Breathe Right^®, all of which are trademarks owned by and/or licensed to GSK Group of Companies.

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline -- one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies -- is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information visit: http://www.gsk.com.

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SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline