In response to a proposal by the Medication Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) to reclassify nicotine substitute therapies (NRT) as pharmaceuticals, docs have expressed considerations over the potential limitations this transfer could impose on accessibility for people trying to stop tobacco consumption. They emphasise that NRT is a secure and empowering technique that aids in smoking cessation.
NRT, together with nicotine polacrilex gums, lozenges, and transdermal patches, has been confirmed to extend the likelihood of efficiently quitting smoking by 50 % in comparison with quitting with out help. It’s available over-the-counter with out the necessity for a prescription.
Dr. Chandrakant S Pandav, former head of the Division of Neighborhood Medication at AIIMS-New Delhi, highlighted the pressing want for improved entry to tobacco cessation strategies in India. He acknowledged that 28.6 % of adults within the nation are affected by tobacco use, with a big influence on 42 % of males and 14.2 % of girls. Dr. Pandav burdened the significance of constructing NRT simply accessible with out prescriptions, because it empowers people to stop smoking.
Nicotine, the first addictive element in cigarettes, offers speedy pleasurable results via smoking. NRT serves as a brief substitute for a small quantity of nicotine, controlling cravings, assuaging withdrawal signs, and facilitating the transition to tobacco abstinence.
NRT works by offering a gradual and managed enhance in blood nicotine ranges, discouraging misuse. Its goal is to assist people stop smoking utilizing nicotine supply techniques with decreased addictiveness.
Dr. Sajeela Maini of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, who has vital expertise in smoking cessation remedy, acknowledged, “Nicotine substitute remedy is the mainstay of smoking cessation remedy. Substituting cigarettes with a nicotine product is the best approach to scale back urges and withdrawals related to quitting smoking. Tobacco dependence is a mind-body habit.”
Dr. Maini emphasised the significance of addressing each the physiological and psychological facets of habit for efficient remedy. Pharmacotherapy performs a supportive position in decreasing urges and withdrawals, making the quitting course of extra snug.
To make sure the success of smoking cessation efforts, the main focus needs to be on enhancing entry to NRT. Tobacco habit is a prevalent world concern, and a multi-pronged strategy is required to fight it. Dr. Maini burdened the necessity to proactively educate the general public about scientifically-backed choices like NRT to help them in quitting smoking and forestall the event of tobacco-related illnesses.
Dr. Pandav referred to Indian trials performed in 2023, equivalent to one in Odisha, which demonstrated the efficacy of NRT in halting smokeless tobacco use. One other examine in Bengaluru in the identical 12 months highlighted the effectiveness of mixing NRT with behavioral counseling to cut back cigarette smoking.
The proposal to reclassify all formulations of nicotine-containing as much as 2mg-4mg as pharmaceuticals was mentioned in the course of the 89th Medication Technical Advisory Board assembly held in Could 2023. Considerations have been raised that reclassifying NRT as a prescription drug will restrict accessibility for potential tobacco quitters and impede authorities efforts in tobacco de-addiction.
Dr. Maini concluded, “Any step taken to reclassify NRT as a prescription drug will restrict product accessibility for potential tobacco quitters and hinder the federal government’s tobacco de-addiction initiatives.”
(With inputs from PTI)
