Pfizer Caught Short on Antismoking Drug in Japan (After Cigarette Tax Increase)

[RamboLiberal]

Source: NY Times

When the Japanese government raised the tax on cigarettes on Oct. 1, it could have started a public health revolution in this land of heavy smokers.

The tax increase should also have been a bonanza for Pfizer, the world’s biggest pharmaceutical company, which makes the leading drug to help smokers break the habit.

Instead, it became a missed opportunity.

Despite ample notice of the change, Pfizer failed to produce enough of the drug, Chantix, which is sold as Champix in Japan. When tens of thousands of would-be quitters rushed to their doctors for prescriptions, Pfizer was overwhelmed.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/04/business/global/04smoke.html?_r=1&hp

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What a bunch of dimwits at Pfizer!

[williesgirl]

1. The Japanese people are lucky - that shit has some nasty side effects.

[Codeine]

2. Cigarettes do too. nt

[applegrove]

3. I was on meds for ptsd while I was on champix so I didn't feel the bad side effects. I would be

worth it, I think, for people to go on mood stabilizers while they are on champix. It really helped me quit and more importantly helped me get over cigarettes. I totally don't have craves which is an amazing way to be.

[lonestarnot]

4. Chantix. Isn't that the suicide drug?