Pfizer’s Champix shows benefits in gradual reduction of smoking

Pfizer has announced data from a product study that shows how its smoking cessation aid Champix can help people to gradually wean themselves off the habit.

The study involved 1,510 smokers who were willing to gradually reduce smoking with a goal of quitting within 12 weeks. Patients were given either Champix or a placebo for 24 weeks, followed by 28 weeks of non-treatment.

Preliminary results demonstrated that continuous abstinence rates for weeks 15 to 24 were significantly higher in patients treated with Champix, meaning the primary endpoint goal for the study was met.

This shows Pfizer's product can be of benefit to people who are unwilling or unable to quit smoking more abruptly.

Dr Steven Romano, senior vice-president and medicines development group head for Pfizer's global innovative pharmaceuticals business, said: "Setting a fixed quit date can be daunting to smokers which is why reducing the number of cigarettes smoked is a commonly-used approach to quitting."

This comes after a study released last year showed Champix can also help people with major depressive disorder patients to give up smoking.