A "helpful" new drug which could help problem drinkers reduce the amount of alcohol they consume will today become available to UK patients.

If dependent drinkers take the drug nalmefene and undergo counselling they can cut their consumption levels by 61%, manufacturers said.

While current drugs help patients to become teetotal, nalmefene helps people with drinking problems to cut back on the amount they drink. The drug works by modulating the reward mechanism in the brain. The NHS cost for nalmefene is £42.42 for a supply of 14 tablets