NHS England announces relaunch of anti-smoking pill Varenicline

NHS England will relaunch the ‘improved’ anti-smoking pill Fernicline following the withdrawal of a branded version in 2021.

Varenicline, previously available as Champix, will be offered by pharmacies and community-led stop smoking services in England and is expected to help more than 85,000 people quit smoking every year.

It will be used as an additional treatment for patients alongside behavioral support such as counselling, and according to NHS England, it has been ‘shown to work as well as vaping’ for quitting smoking.

NHSE chief executive Amanda Pritchard will announce the rollout in a speech today, following the approval of the relaunched generic product by the Medicines Health and Regulatory Authority (MHRA).

Distribution of Champix was paused in 2021 as a precaution due to high concentrations of potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines found in the tablets.

Researchers from University College London have since suggested that Varenicline be removed from the UK market may have resulted in thousands fewer people trying to quit smoking.

UCL researchers also estimate that Varenicline could help more than 85,000 people quit smoking every year, and that its use could prevent up to 9,500 smoking-related deaths over the next five years.

NHS England has also highlighted that other smoking cessation drugs are ‘on the horizon’, with cytisine currently under review by NICE.

Dr. Sarah Jackson, lead researcher at the UCL Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group, said the relaunch of varenicline in England is “excellent news” because it could “help more people quit smoking and prevent years of ill health and early death.”

“Large studies have consistently shown it to be one of the most effective treatments for helping people quit smoking,” she said.

Ms Pritchard will say today that the daily pill ‘could be a game changer for people who want to quit smoking’.

She continued: “As well as supporting the government’s ambition to create the first smoke-free generationwe’re giving current smokers the tools they need to quit – with proven treatment options like these, alongside specialist care, helping to save thousands of lives and save the NHS millions of pounds in treatment costs.’

Health Minister Wes Streeting said: ‘Prevention is better than cure. The rollout of this pill could save the NHS millions of pounds, save appointments to see other patients faster and save lives.

‘Alongside our Tobacco and Vaping Act, the Government and the NHS are building a healthy society to help support a healthy economy.’