Daily pill could be just as effective as surgery

A DAILY pill could deliver the same slimming boost as gastric bypass surgery, research shows.

- By Hanna Geissler

The drug forms a temporary coating on the first six inches of the small intestine, which has the same effect as an operation to shorten it, making patients feel fuller after eating less.

It was found to be safe in an early trial, with larger trials now planned to assess weight loss. Rahul Dhanda, co-founder and president of biopharmaceutical company Syntis Bio, said if a patient took the pill one morning the effect would wear off within 24 hours.