NHS Anticipates 9,500 Lives Saved with New Smoking Cessation Pill
- Varenicline is three times more effective than a placebo in aiding smoking cessation.
- The NHS anticipates that the drug will help 85,000 smokers annually and reduce deaths related to smoking.
- This initiative represents a significant move towards reducing smoking-related health issues in the UK.
A new drug designed to help users quit smoking has been approved for rollout in NHS England. Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of NHS England, announced this initiative at the NHS Providers conference in Liverpool, emphasizing the potential of the medication as a pivotal step towards achieving a smoke-free generation. Varenicline, the drug in question, is reported to be three times more effective than a placebo and rivals vapes in efficacy while outperforming nicotine-replacement therapies. The NHS estimates that approximately 85,000 individuals will utilize this pill each year, aiming to prevent around 9,500 smoking-related deaths over the next five years. This effort comes amidst growing health concerns, with smoking causing over 400,000 hospital admissions in England during the previous year and costing the NHS approximately £2.5 billion annually.