Zyban
Zyban (bupropion) received marketing authorization for
smoking cessation in all European Union countries, except for
France and Finland. The approval, announced in April 2000, was
granted via the European Commission's mutual recognition
procedure. Zyban was approved in December by authorities in
the reference member country, the Netherlands.
Zyban sustained-release tablet is the first nicotine-free
prescription medicine approved for marketing for smoking
cessation.
According to company data, the product has helped more than
1 million individuals stop smoking. Researchers believe that
Zyban acts on the central nervous system's addiction pathways,
thereby decreasing the craving for nicotine and reducing
withdrawal symptoms.
Zyban was launched in 1997 in the United States by
developer and marketer Glaxo Wellcome Inc., Research Triangle
Park, N.C.
The product was filed for approval in the European Union in
March 1999; additional discussions are planned with regulatory
authorities in France and Finland. Reports indicate that 70%
of Europeans want to quit smoking. There are more than 200
million smokers in Europe. The World Health Organization
estimates that tobacco products are responsible for 1.2
million deaths annually in Europe.
Copyright Engel Publishing Partners 2000 /Tel:
+44-171-779-8999/www.euromoneyplc.com
Copyright © 2000 Responsive Database Services,
Inc.
