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UK-Based Organization
Advocates Pfizer's Champix for Smoking Cessation
May 30, 2007
If the recommendation of U.K’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) will be sincerely conceived, smokers would have one more steadfast alternative in their hands to quit smoking. Considered as a major boost to smoking cessation, NICE suggested that Champix or varenicline must be utilized on the National Health Service for adult smokers who want to quit smoking. The recommendation, if implemented, will facilitate smokers residing across England, Wales and Northern Ireland with access to an additional significant alternative to cease smoking.
In its Final evaluation, NICE articulated that varenicline is found superior to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and bupropion for the attainment of incessant abstinence and thus its application for smoking cessation may be a lucrative use of National Health Service resources.
"This recommendation came as a respite for smokers who are quite serious about the smoking cessation and seek another choice for the same”, said Professor Robert West, Professor of Health Psychology at University College London.
Varenicline, also known as Chantix in the U.S, received the FDA approval as a support to smoking termination in May 2006. In past one decade, Champix is the first novel prescription preparation for smoking cessation. Discovered and developed by Pfizer, Champix is specifically formulated to act as an aid while smoking cessation. With atypical work mechanism, it targets specific receptors that respond to nicotine binge and thus decreases smokers crave to smoke.
"This recommendation establishes the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Champix, and persuades smokers and physicians to consider the preparation as a novel therapeutic option to quit smoke," said Jack Watters, MD, Pfizer's Vice President of International Medical Affairs.
Smoking, a principal cause of avertable death worldwide, contributes to five million deaths worldwide every year alone.
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