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Olivier Galera (Tobacco specialist)
The United Kingdom announces that it will distribute a free anti-smoking pill to help smokers break their addiction. This medication is not unknown and it was even available in France a few years ago. What happened? Explanations from Dr Olivier Galera, tobacco specialist.
At the heart of No Tobacco Month, the United Kingdom makes an important announcement. On prescription, medication to stop smoking will be distributed free of charge to smokers who wish to quit.
Champix is no longer available in France since 2021
This drug is varenicline, marketed by Pfizer under the trade name Champix. “Champix is no longer available in France since 2021” explains Dr Olivier Galera, tobacco specialist.
“On the website of the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM), we can read that its release is ‘undetermined’, so we have no visibility as to its return to France, for the moment“.
Champix was withdrawn due to problems with impurities in its composition. A new formula, now produced in England and the United States, corrects this problem.
An effective molecule in case of withdrawal
This is why the tobacco specialist is calling for his return. “Varenicline is a molecule that has proven itself. It presents a good benefit/risk balance, good tolerance and effectiveness that I have observed in the patients to whom I have prescribed it” assures Dr. Galera.
For a time, before its withdrawal, the molecule had been accused of increasing the risk of anxiety-depressive syndrome and suicide. “It was subsequently proven that there were no more events of this type with Champix than without” estimates the tobacco specialist.
One more molecule in the anti-tobacco therapeutic arsenal
Varenicline is therefore a molecule whose return is expected, even hoped for. “As a tobacco specialist, just like the Société francophone de Tabacologie, we are awaiting its (re)launch on the market. This would be good news and an important step forward in the fight against tobacco” Olivier Galera still exhibits.
Are there other medications for smokers who would like to quit smoking? Three other “medicines” exist, according to our expert:
- THE nicotine substitutes, but often misused and “at too low a dose, therefore not always effective” ;
- THE zybanan antidepressant containing bupropion hydrochloride. “It is available in France but not reimbursed, and costs 80 euros for two months of treatment” ;
- There cytisinea molecule developed in 1967, but not available in France. “It exists in Spain under the name Todacitan, and costs 100 euros for 25 days of treatment”.
Medicinal aids for smoking cessation therefore remain few in number. “This is why reauthorizing Champix or a generic equivalent would make it possible to broaden the therapeutic arsenal that we have, to better help our patients get rid of their addiction.concluded Dr. Galera.
Slide: The main dates of the fight against tobacco in France