A plant-based drug called cytisine has been found to double the success rate of smokers attempting to quit, according to recent research published in the medical journal Addiction. The study shows that the treatment is twice as effective as a placebo and marginally better than traditional nicotine substitutes. This news comes just as the UK prepares to introduce cytisine to the market, nearly five years after its regulatory clearance. The plant-based drug has been used in eastern Europe since the 1960s to help people give up smoking and is also available in Canada under the name Cravv. However, it has not been widely accessible in most parts of the world.
The drug, which will be sold by Irish drugmaker Consilient Health starting January 22nd, will be offered as a 25-day course of pills at a cost of £115 ($145.2) to the National Health Service (NHS). The introduction of cytisine comes as smoking continues to place a significant burden on the UK economy, costing approximately £17 billion each year. These costs impact the NHS and social care systems, making it crucial to find effective measures to combat the prevalence of smoking.
Clinical trials required for licensing cytisine in various countries have been one of the reasons for its limited accessibility. The drug, being an aging generic, does not command high prices, making the expense of these trials less feasible. However, the recent meta-analysis of 12 studies on cytisine has shown promising results. The analysis found no major safety concerns with the drug, further supporting the case for its broader availability.
Cytisine works by reducing withdrawal symptoms and diminishing the pleasure derived from smoking. Its active ingredient is a plant alkaloid that has a structure similar to nicotine. Researchers believe that cytisine has the potential to be a significant answer to the problem of smoking-related deaths, which are considered preventable. Omar De Santi, the lead author of the research, stated that "Smoking is considered the main cause of preventable death. Cytisine has the potential to be one of the big answers to that problem."
As the UK prepares to introduce cytisine to the market, there is hope that this plant-based drug could greatly assist smokers in their journey to quit smoking. The fact that it has already been successfully used in eastern Europe for decades and has shown positive results in clinical trials gives reason for optimism. With smoking continuing to be a major health issue, the availability of an effective and affordable solution like cytisine could have a significant impact on reducing smoking-related health problems and costs in the UK and beyond.