America’s Food and Drug Administration has approved a new weight-loss drug from Vivus that many doctors consider the most effective therapy in a new generation of anti-obesity pills designed to help patients safely shed pounds.

A MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS drug pulled from the US market last year is to return and has also been given preliminary approval for use in Europe, a move that will be welcomed by the 6,000 Irish people affected by the condition.

A vaccine that blocks infection by four types of viruses could cut global deaths from cervical cancer by more than two thirds, its manufacturer says.