Europe Approves the New Anti-Smoking Drug Champix (Varenicline)
September 29, 2006
Pfizer Inc. announced the approval of Champix/ Varenicline by the European regulators as a treatment for smoking cessation.
The new anti-smoking drug Varenicline was already recommended for approval by the European medical experts in the month of July, soon after the approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June this year.
The drug Champix, which is known as Chantix in the U.S. will soon be available in the chemist shops and pharmacies. According to Richard Simpson, the marketing in charge of Varenicline in Europe , the medicine will be available in shops by early 2007.
However, the cost of the drug for European countries has not been disclosed. No comments were made on whether Champix will cost the same as in the U.S. i.e $3.20 per day or more than that.
Many public interest institutes and European governments have taken initiative to run smoking cessation programs and regulate the use of tobacco. The scene is not less terrifying than United States of America .more than 1.2 million Europeans die of smoking-related diseases each year.
Owing to the need of the situation, Pfizer predicts $1 billion-plus seller by 2010, nevertheless, analysts are skeptical about finding healthcare providers to pay for it. Simpson argues that smoking cessation can certainly be proved as cost-effective in the long run.
Keeping aside the issue of what profit the new drug may bring to Pfizer, Champix is certainly going to help millions of smokers in quitting smoke and benefit in terms of health and long life.
Source: reuters.com |
