The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7236 p219
15 February 2003

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Plan for NiQuitin CQ lozenges to go GSL

NiQuitin CQ 4mg lozenges, plain and mint, look likely to be reclassified as a general sale list medicine.

The Medicines Control Agency has put a reclassification application from GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare out for consultation until 24 March. GSK says that a Royal College of Physicians report suggests that nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) should be as freely available as nicotine, and that this is supported by the Government's National Health Service plan.

The company claims that the risks associated with the lozenges are extremely low and that postmarketing data show that adverse events have been as expected. NiQuitin CQ lozenges have been available as a pharmacy medicine for about a year.

Comments can be sent to Doreen West, Room 14-248, Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5NQ (e-mail Doreen.West@mca.gsi.gov.uk).