Nicabate goes onto PBS
December 9, 2010
HEALTH minister Nicola Roxon
this morning announced that
effective 01 Feb 2011 Nicabate
transdermal patches would become
available under the Pharmaceutical
Benefits Scheme.
The move will see concession
card holders able to access
Nicorette, Nicabate P and
Nicotinell as part of a smoking
cessation program.
Roxon said the move was a major
blow against cancer in Australia.
“Cancer scars the lives of too
many Australians and we know that
reducing the smoking rate is one of
the most effective ways to reduce
the rate of death from this terrible
disease,” she said.
Roxon said the move would help
support more than 70,000
Australians to kick the habit, and
was another part of the govt’s
“innovative anti-smoking approach,
including world leading action to
mandate plain packaging on
tobacco products”.
Special packaging will be offered
for the prescription versions of
Nicabate, which will also continue
to be available in supermarkets and
pharmacies.
GSK Consumer Healthcare
marketing manager, Rod Stosic,
said the company was “proud to
support Aussie smokers in their
fight to quit smoking”.
He said that all patients using
Nicabate products also gain access
to Nicabate QuitPartner, a
personalised quitting support
program to help smokers manage
their cigarette cravings.
MEANWHILE Roxon also
suggested an extension of the
indication for varenicline (Champix)
which she said would “also assist
smokers wanting to quit”.
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