A daily pill designed to help people give up smoking will soon be rolled out on the NHS as experts hope it could prevent thousands of smoking-related deaths a year.
Called varenicline, the pill tackles nicotine cravings while also combatting withdrawal symptoms like irritability and sleeping issues.
NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard called the drug a “game-changer” as she confirmed it will be brought to the health service.
Speaking the at NHS Annual Conference and Exhibition in Liverpool, Ms Pritchard will say: “This simple, daily pill could be a game changer for people who want to quit smoking and is another vital step in shifting our NHS further towards prevention.
“Smoking remains one of the biggest public health issues facing the NHS and has devastating impacts on the body – from the lungs, to the heart, blood and brain, while also increasing risk of cancer, diabetes and stroke.”
According to NHS England, when the pill is used alongside behavioural support, it can help about one in four people stop smoking for at least six months.
Officials estimate it could help more than 85,000 people give up smoking annually over the next five years, as well as prevent up to 9,500 smoking-related deaths.
Made by pharmaceutical company Teva UK, the pill is a generic version of the branded pill Champix, which was withdrawn in 2021 after a potentially carcinogenic impurity was found in its formula.
The relaunched version of varenicline has been approved as safe by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, side effects may include nausea or vomiting with full dose; sleep disturbances; constipation or flatulence; or changes in mood or behaviour, although this is rare.
Another drug called cytisine, which tricks the brain into thinking someone has had a cigarette by attaching to the same receptors that nicotine does, is currently being reviewed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
Dr Ian Walker, executive director of policy at Cancer Research UK, said: “Along with funding for cessation services, making tools like this available will help more people stop smoking.
“Around 160 cases of cancer are caused by tobacco every day in the UK, so it’s essential that action is taken to prevent people from smoking in the first place.”
