UK: New quit [smoking] pill will be on NHS

The Sun (U.K.) ^ | May 31, 2007 | MICHAEL LEA

[Stoat]

 
Miracle ... the drug

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By MICHAEL LEA
Political Correspondent
May 31, 2007
 
 

 

 
A NEW pill to help smokers quit will be available on the NHS within weeks.

 

The wonder drug could be prescribed in time for the nationwide smoking ban from July 1.

Champix — developed by Pfizer which makes anti-impotence drug Viagra — blocks cravings, lessens withdrawal symptoms and even reduces the pleasure from ciggies.

In trials nearly half of smokers — 44 per cent — kicked the habit after a 12-week course as opposed to 30 per cent using other NHS anti-smoking medication.

Quitters will not be hit in the pocket. A recommended 12-week course costs the NHS £163.80 but patients only pay the £6.85 prescription charge.

Yesterday the medicines watchdog the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) cleared the way for its introduction.

It said Champix, the trade name for varenicline, was “superior to nicotine replacement therapy in achieving continuous abstinence” and “likely to be a cost-effective use of resources”.

 

The twice-a-day pill is the only treatment for smoking which does not contain nicotine.

It is based on leaves of the Golden Rain tree — used as a tobacco substitute by soldiers in the Second World War.

Nice’s decision, which coincides with World No Tobacco Day today, is subject to appeal.

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of premature deaths in the UK and costs the NHS £1.5billion a year.

On July 1, all indoor public spaces and workplaces in England will become smoke free.

[Stoat]

These FR threads may also be of interest  :

Great Britain 17,000 blinded by fags (Smoking, that is)

Ciggie lover lived to 105

[Stoat]

Ping  :-)

 

[SheLion]

Thanks for the ping.

I heard of this.  And it might be wonderful to help people who really want to quit smoking.  But I just hate to see another "drug" ingested when there might not be a need for it.

If someone really wants to quit, just quit.  I quit for two weeks in March just as an experiment to myself.  I had no withdrawals and I wasn't climbing the walls and screaming to go to detox.  And mind you, I have been smoking since I was 16.

I had a box of the patches (14) but used only 4.  I said "Blah," and threw the rest away.

What I truthfully missed most of all was the actual act of smoking.  I love smoking at my computer, with my coffee, while on the phone and after a good meal.

At least now I know if I have to go to our non-smoking hospital, I will do so and not be a totally miserable human being.

I personally believe that Big Pharma invents all these quit smoking aides just to rack up the bucks.  If a person truly wants to quit smoking, they will and not just spend the "big bucks" they normally would have spent on cigarettes over to Big Pharma.

 

[wolfcreek]

Phizer? Aren’t they being sued by some SE Asian country for killing a bunch of kids with their *miracle* drugs? Just because they can *put lead in your pencil* doesn’t mean mean they’re infallible.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Eric Blair 2084]

I read comments 3-6 earlier. They didn’t seem offensive. What happened?