Slimming pills branded a danger by the Newcastle Evening Chronicle have finally been banned.

Ponderax and Adifax were taken off the market four years ago after a Chronicle probe revealed that doctors in the North East were giving the “life threatening and addictive” tablets to people who were not overweight.

Two undercover reporters were offered the amphetamine-based drugs at two clinics they visited.

Now, the tablets have been withdrawn after an inquiry by the Medicines Control Agency. Pharmacists have been told to return all supplies for destruction.

The Chronicle hailed the move as a victory for its campaign. After its initial investigation, it highlighted the case of mother-of-four Pat Metcalfe, who became hooked on pills for three months and suffered mood swings and insomnia.

She told the paper: “I’m glad they’re off the market but they should have been taken off a lot sooner and more lives could have been saved.”

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