31 May 2009

Anti-smoking drug to be free on prescription

6:06 pm on 31 May 2009

The drug buying agency Pharmac has announced full funding for an anti-smoking drug.

The smoking cessation drug bupropion, known commercially as Zyban and made by GlaxoSmithKline, will be now be freely available on doctor's prescription from July.

Pharmac's Medical Director Peter Moodie says the fully funded option has both health and economic benefits.

He says smoking accounts for about 5,000 deaths a year in New Zealand.