June 9, 1998 Hoechst Marion Roussel - For Smokers Who Want To Quit Now! -
Nicoderm Now Available In Pharmacies Without A Prescription
LAVAL, June 9 /CNW/ - There is good news for smokers who have made the decision to quit - and want to do it NOW, while they are motivated! Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada Inc. has just been informed by Health Canada that the Company's popular smoking-cessation treatment, the Nicoderm nicotine patch, has received approval to be sold in pharmacies without a prescription.
''This is wonderful news for people who have made the decision to quit and just want to head for the drugstore immediately to buy a product to help them give up smoking,'' said Gary Handelsman, Executive Vice-President, Commercial Affairs of Laval-based Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada. ''People very often decide on the spur of the moment to quit - such as when they wake up and start their day with a wracking cough. They can easily lose that motivation when they know they must make a doctor's appointment to obtain a product that can really help them.''
Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada is a pioneer in the development of smoking-cessation products, specifically Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products, which work by helping to control the craving for nicotine that smokers experience when they stop. Besides Nicoderm, Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada manufactures Nicorette (2 mg) and Nicorette Plus (4 mg) sugar-free nicotine chewing pieces, also available in pharmacies without prescription.
The Nicoderm patch, known as a transdermal system, is the only such product with a membrane that controls the rate of nicotine delivery. Its simple and effective three-step program gradually weans the smoker off physical dependence over a 10-week period. It works by delivering consistent and highly predictable doses of nicotine. The Rate-Controlling Membrane (RCM) also provides high nicotine delivery in the critical hours for smokers, such as mornings.
''Health Canada's decision couldn't have come at a better time for smokers, with all of the recent political and social pressure coming to bear on them. ''In fact, studies show that most of the nearly one-third of adult Canadians who smoke want to quit, but that their habit is extremely hard to break. They are sure to welcome any development that makes it easier for them to do so.''
''We at Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada are pleased to be part of the solution to a problem - tobacco use - that kills more adults in Canada than alcohol, traffic accidents and AIDS combined,'' Mr. Handelsman continued. ''Tobacco smoke, contains a high number of chemicals, including carbon monoxide, benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, acetone, ammonia, cadmium and nickel.''
In fact, more than 40,000 Canadians die each year from smoking-related illnesses. Of every 1,000 Canadians age 20 who smoke, half will die from smoking if they continue the habit. On average, smoking shortens lifespan by 15 years for Canadian smokers. In another shocking statistic: in 1993, lung cancer surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death among Canadian women.
There are also indisputable benefits for smokers who quit. Former smokers live longer than continuing smokers. Those who quit before the age of 50 have only half the risk of dying within 15 years compared to those who continue to smoke. Even smokers who have already suffered from smoking-related illnesses can benefit from quitting.
''Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada believes that this Health Canada decision is good news for everyone - smokers and non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke,'' Mr. Handelsman concluded. ''At the same time, we sympathize and understand just how hard a habit it is to break. If the fact that our product is now much easier to obtain will help even some of these smokers, we couldn't be prouder or happier.''
Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada, the pharmaceutical company of Hoechst, is a leader in pharmaceutical health management, committed to providing its partners with sensible and innovative health care solutions. These solutions, the result of the discovery, development, manufacturing and commercialization of pharmaceutical products and services, are designed to increase longevity and improve the quality of life. Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada is based in Laval, Quebec.
/For further information: Jean-Paul Marsan, Director, Corporate Affairs, Hoechst Marion Roussel Canada Inc., (514) 331-9220/ |
