Chantix

The new stop-smoking aid, varenicline, is due to be launched in the UK on 5 December. It will be sold under the brand name Champix.

ASH has produced guidance for health professionals on this new drug and this is now available on the ASH website at:
www.ash.org.uk/html/cessation/ASHVareniclineguidance.pdf

The ASH guidance has been produced by Dr Ann McNeill and Dr Martin Raw, the authors of the original ‘Thorax’ smoking cessation guidelines. It has the backing of the Department of Health and should be viewed as interim advice until NICE issues its own guidance next Spring.

I trust you will find the guidance self-explanatory but please do get in touch if you have any specific queries that are not covered in the document.

Please note that we will be press releasing the guidance to the media on 5th December to coincide with the launch of Champix. In the meantime, we would be happy for you to circulate this guidance among smoking cessation colleagues – in fact we would like you to do so – but please do not send to the media before 5th December.
Regards
Amanda SandfordResearch ManagerASH102 Clifton StreetLONDONEC2A 4HWt 020 7739 5902f 020 7613 0531