Phytopharm Leads the Way in Hoodia Gordonii Development

Phytopharm, a UK based pharmaceutical company, has been leading the way in development of Hoodia Gordonii for use in weight loss products since 1997. Given that this was a full five years before Pfizer, the pharmaceutical giant that originally isolated the P57 extract (the ingredient of the Hoodia Gordonii plant responsible for the appetite suppressant effects), released the rights in general. Phytopharm originally expected to use the P57 plant extract to develop a new prescription weight-loss drug. That may still be in development, though nearly any drug store or super store you encounter now seems to offer one or more over-the-counter weight loss or appetite suppressant products containing Hoodia Gordonii. The process of developing a pharmaceutical product - whether for use by prescription or over-the-counter - is lengthy and involved. This is a very prudent and responsible tract for a company to take, regardless of whether they are being watched by the FDA or its British equivalent. A product that hasn’t been well-researched, tested, and clinically proven is a product that may be not only harmful, but is almost certain to fail the test of time in the marketplace. Therefore, it’s advantageous for company and consumer alike for the process of development to be detailed and thorough. So while Phytopharm continues to work on their Hoodia Gordonii product, consumers can research other products and their claims and weigh the facts for themselves.