New 'Quit Smoking' Pill to be Available on the NHS
- Thread starter mickey
- Start date
Tinkerbee
Well-Known Member
so thats available....but certain life saving breast cancer drugs arent?
not happy
people CHOOSE to smoke
they dont choose to get cancer...although ironic that smoking often leads to cancer
not happy
people CHOOSE to smoke
they dont choose to get cancer...although ironic that smoking often leads to cancer
hatters
Well-Known Member
Could look at it this way - it is alot cheaper for them to be given a few drugs to stop them smoking, than to have to treat them for the illnesses they will get related to it.
Then will have more money to spend on more expensive treatments such as new breast cancer drugs etc....
But I agree it is bad that people cannot get some medications that will save their lives.
Then will have more money to spend on more expensive treatments such as new breast cancer drugs etc....
But I agree it is bad that people cannot get some medications that will save their lives.
pixiebee
Well-Known Member
its amazing, my partner has been on it and stopped smoking in less than two weeks after smoking for several years, and yes you can complain that its on the nhs, but i am grateful that it has finally made him give up-not just for our financial situation but for his health and his son. so please-go ahead and complain.
ps- i feel sad that certain drugs are not available to those that need them, but atleast by giving these to smokers it can PREVENT cancer and money in the long run as hatters points out.
ps- i feel sad that certain drugs are not available to those that need them, but atleast by giving these to smokers it can PREVENT cancer and money in the long run as hatters points out.
Sooty
Well-Known Member
No, for once I don't. If someone smokes 20 cigarettes a day that is costing them the best part of £6 a day. These pills would cost them £2 a day. It is their choice to smoke; it is not someone's choice to get cancer that is refused treatment because of cost. Although... smokers pay £10bn a year in tax, of which only just over £1bn goes to the NHS.
LauraBR
Well-Known Member
If it is as effective as they claim then it makes financial sense to supply it- by reducing the HUGE costs associated with treating smoking related illness you free up money and resources that are currently unavailable for certain drugs/treatments.
Understand why people would be narked about it but think you have to look at the bigger picture sadly.
Understand why people would be narked about it but think you have to look at the bigger picture sadly.
Sooty
Well-Known Member
In an ideal world I would agree, but where drugs are so rationed it does seem a bit strange to treat an addiciton rather than an illness.
LauraBR
Well-Known Member
I think it is logical as you are treating the root cause of so many illnesses.
Not saying I am comfortable with the fact cancer patients are going without while smokers can have the drugs but I do think it makes sense.
Shame they can't be bought over the counter, that would solve the problem.
Not saying I am comfortable with the fact cancer patients are going without while smokers can have the drugs but I do think it makes sense.
Shame they can't be bought over the counter, that would solve the problem.
sunflower
Well-Known Member
Am undecided on this one. I agree with Sooty in some ways - especially as it is possible to give up smoking without this though I do realise it's not as easy as it sounds. In a few years time it probably will be available over the counter and people will have to pay for it. Having said that smoking related illnesses are a huge burden on the NHS so anything that reduces those has to be a good thing.
southgate1975
Well-Known Member
It's very pragmatic... by treating the addiction you reduce the amount of the illness. And drugs vary vastly in cost... you mention £2 per day, but some anti-cancer drugs cost £100's a day.
Gingernags
Well-Known Member
It is a kick in the teeth though to those who are refused cancer drugs and have never smoked a day in their lives...
Why then do say - asthmatics who pay for inhalers - not get them free as this will help prevent a lot of attacks that would need an expensive nebuliser treatment?
If its going to save the smokers their fag money - they can afford the prescription charge.
Why then do say - asthmatics who pay for inhalers - not get them free as this will help prevent a lot of attacks that would need an expensive nebuliser treatment?
If its going to save the smokers their fag money - they can afford the prescription charge.
Sooty
Well-Known Member
Well they will pay a prescription charge, but that is £6.85 and they will get up to three month's supply at a cost to the NHS of £182. It just seems ludicrous to me; smoking is a lifestyle choice, not an illness.
MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
I think that's terrible. Smokers CHOOSE to do what they do. Yes, great they can stop the smoker smoking. But TBH they deserve to go through the hasstle of doing it cold turkey with nothing to help! A friend of mine has done this and is doing so so well, without resorting to a free pill.
Sorry but there are way more important things which should be available through the NHS, not silly things like this.
Sorry but there are way more important things which should be available through the NHS, not silly things like this.
Tufty
Well-Known Member
why dont they just ban the sale of cigarettes, that way it will force all smokers to go cold turkey its not like they are going to die if they dont have a fag !.
They dont do this because the government gets so much revenue from 10 million people in the country that smoke.
They dont do this because the government gets so much revenue from 10 million people in the country that smoke.
The Virgin Dubble
Well-Known Member
Are these drugs actually 'free' or are they simply available on the NHS, costing the standard prescription charge? I would imagine the latter surely?
Tbh, this government is surging ahead with making the country a smoke free zone, and should be considering those who have smoked for many years.
There is treatment available to all addicts in this country, be their addiction drugs, food, alcohol, whatever. The cost of hospital treatment for these people is frightening, as is the social security bill for those who don't work as a result of their addiction.
So yes, if the government wants a smoke free britain, it should offer preventative help at a lower cost, rather than spend billions treating the symptoms of smoking.
Yes it is tragic and unfair that people with life threatening illnesses are refused drugs that might prolong their life, but this was happening way before the news about this drug, so to make comparisons is futile.
It's not as if, should this idea be scrapped, that suddenly these other drugs will be dished out.
Tbh, this government is surging ahead with making the country a smoke free zone, and should be considering those who have smoked for many years.
There is treatment available to all addicts in this country, be their addiction drugs, food, alcohol, whatever. The cost of hospital treatment for these people is frightening, as is the social security bill for those who don't work as a result of their addiction.
So yes, if the government wants a smoke free britain, it should offer preventative help at a lower cost, rather than spend billions treating the symptoms of smoking.
Yes it is tragic and unfair that people with life threatening illnesses are refused drugs that might prolong their life, but this was happening way before the news about this drug, so to make comparisons is futile.
It's not as if, should this idea be scrapped, that suddenly these other drugs will be dished out.
Gingernags
Well-Known Member
Well the report I heard this mornng said "free" - thought I guess that could be wrong or not totally accurate.
At least a prescription charge is something, it wouldn't be fair if it was free when a lot of routine but lifesaving drugs aren't.
Mind you, on a totally selfish note - I'm annoyed if they get a 3 months supply in one go - I can't get any more than a months supply of drugs and its no end of a bother getting there every month, they won't give you more as its a waste if you don't need them (considering I'm on one of the drugs for life, can't see how!) So surely if they kick the habit in say 2 weeks with these pills, the rest will be wasted???
I'll shut up now as that was a whinge really!
At least a prescription charge is something, it wouldn't be fair if it was free when a lot of routine but lifesaving drugs aren't.
Mind you, on a totally selfish note - I'm annoyed if they get a 3 months supply in one go - I can't get any more than a months supply of drugs and its no end of a bother getting there every month, they won't give you more as its a waste if you don't need them (considering I'm on one of the drugs for life, can't see how!) So surely if they kick the habit in say 2 weeks with these pills, the rest will be wasted???
I'll shut up now as that was a whinge really!
mickey
Well-Known Member
I am not really quite sure where I stand on this. Part of me says that these people are addicted to smoking, and if they were addicted to other (hard) drugs it would be labelled a medical condition /illness and as such not a choice....? I don't know whether this argument could apply to smoking?
southgate1975
Well-Known Member
I think the only possible reply is... running a country that has 60 million people in it means that you cant be perfectly fair to everyone, you can only do the best you can.
But given the number of smokers (huge), and the benefit of encouraging them to give up, a bit of carrot for a year or so isnt a bad thing.
But given the number of smokers (huge), and the benefit of encouraging them to give up, a bit of carrot for a year or so isnt a bad thing.
pixiebee
Well-Known Member
to those that are complaining about the cost to the NHS- have you considered all the people on benefits that dont really need to be on them? have you considered immigrants that have houses paid for and free hospital treatment? government money is going on these things as well and as a result the NHS is suffering, so where do you draw the line?
and as far as prescription charges go, all prescriptions in wales are free.
and as far as prescription charges go, all prescriptions in wales are free.
mickey
Well-Known Member
I just wonder if - As this treatment is meant to be so effective (and will in most cases only require a short course of medication) - It will more than likely save the NHS a huge amount of cash in the long term
- And thus the money that would have been spent on treating smoking related illnesses can be used to buy all these other expensive cancer and altzheimer drugs (the latter of which people may need to take year upon year at large expense).
- I think if the economics add up as such you can't really knock it?
- And thus the money that would have been spent on treating smoking related illnesses can be used to buy all these other expensive cancer and altzheimer drugs (the latter of which people may need to take year upon year at large expense).
- I think if the economics add up as such you can't really knock it?
pixiebee
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I just wonder if - As this treatment is meant to be so effective (and will in most cases only require a short course of medication) - It will more than likely save the NHS a huge amount of cash in the long term
- And thus the money that would have been spent on treating smoking related illnesses can be used to buy all these other expensive cancer and altzheimer drugs (the latter of which people may need to take year upon year at large expense).
- I think if the economics add up as such you can't really knock it?
[/ QUOTE ]
very well said!!
I just wonder if - As this treatment is meant to be so effective (and will in most cases only require a short course of medication) - It will more than likely save the NHS a huge amount of cash in the long term
- And thus the money that would have been spent on treating smoking related illnesses can be used to buy all these other expensive cancer and altzheimer drugs (the latter of which people may need to take year upon year at large expense).
- I think if the economics add up as such you can't really knock it?
[/ QUOTE ]
very well said!!
georgiegirl2
Well-Known Member
I'm a theatre practitioner and all i can say is after you have seen some of the horrible cases we have had to treat this can only be a good thing. Havent looked at the above link but i presume it is zyban or something similar you are talking about?! By doing it this way the nhs will save more lives and money - it is suprising the huge amount of conditions which can be caused by smoking some of which you wouldnt think are immediately obvious! yes, some people can give up without drugs or any help but others cant and studies show that nicotine addiction can be put on the same level an addiction to something like heroin. As a smoker myself, who has tried many times to quit i think this can only be a good thing although i think the public smoking ban will help a bit too!
Gingernags
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
I just wonder if - As this treatment is meant to be so effective (and will in most cases only require a short course of medication) - It will more than likely save the NHS a huge amount of cash in the long term
- And thus the money that would have been spent on treating smoking related illnesses can be used to buy all these other expensive cancer and altzheimer drugs (the latter of which people may need to take year upon year at large expense).
- I think if the economics add up as such you can't really knock it?
[/ QUOTE ]
Noooo - that would be LOGICAL... in practice, the government will get less in taxes if thousands of smokers quit, so thats less in the coffers to pay for the NHS so funding will be cut...
And any money saved from less ops and expensive treatments for these reformed smokers who will be healthier, will be squandered on unneccessary computer systems and to pay too many management staff instead of funding better drugs, more nurses, doctors and midwives!!!
Mind you, if it does work and help people quit, it can't be a bad thing I guess... that and the smoking ban, can only help in the long run...
I just wonder if - As this treatment is meant to be so effective (and will in most cases only require a short course of medication) - It will more than likely save the NHS a huge amount of cash in the long term
- And thus the money that would have been spent on treating smoking related illnesses can be used to buy all these other expensive cancer and altzheimer drugs (the latter of which people may need to take year upon year at large expense).
- I think if the economics add up as such you can't really knock it?
[/ QUOTE ]
Noooo - that would be LOGICAL... in practice, the government will get less in taxes if thousands of smokers quit, so thats less in the coffers to pay for the NHS so funding will be cut...
And any money saved from less ops and expensive treatments for these reformed smokers who will be healthier, will be squandered on unneccessary computer systems and to pay too many management staff instead of funding better drugs, more nurses, doctors and midwives!!!
Mind you, if it does work and help people quit, it can't be a bad thing I guess... that and the smoking ban, can only help in the long run...
The Virgin Dubble
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Well the report I heard this mornng said "free" - thought I guess that could be wrong or not totally accurate.
At least a prescription charge is something, it wouldn't be fair if it was free when a lot of routine but lifesaving drugs aren't.
Mind you, on a totally selfish note - I'm annoyed if they get a 3 months supply in one go - I can't get any more than a months supply of drugs and its no end of a bother getting there every month, they won't give you more as its a waste if you don't need them (considering I'm on one of the drugs for life, can't see how!) So surely if they kick the habit in say 2 weeks with these pills, the rest will be wasted???
I'll shut up now as that was a whinge really!
[/ QUOTE ]
No no no, you're not whinging!
The distribution of NHS funding is absolutely appalling, and it IS unfair that people who need life saving treatment are going without.
I could write an essay of grievances about how the whole government funding system is run, from prisons, to benefits, to the NHS etc etc etc, but people would start backing away slowly from me.
With regard to the three months of treatment on this drug - I'm pretty sure that, because it's a mind altering drug in that it changes the smokers brain patterns towards nicotine.
It would be more successful if it was taken over a set period of time, in order to fully break the habit of actually having a fag say after meals, in the pub and so on, and minimise the chances of a relapse.
I know from experience that that is how Zyban works, so I'm guessing that this is similar.
Well the report I heard this mornng said "free" - thought I guess that could be wrong or not totally accurate.
At least a prescription charge is something, it wouldn't be fair if it was free when a lot of routine but lifesaving drugs aren't.
Mind you, on a totally selfish note - I'm annoyed if they get a 3 months supply in one go - I can't get any more than a months supply of drugs and its no end of a bother getting there every month, they won't give you more as its a waste if you don't need them (considering I'm on one of the drugs for life, can't see how!) So surely if they kick the habit in say 2 weeks with these pills, the rest will be wasted???
I'll shut up now as that was a whinge really!
[/ QUOTE ]
No no no, you're not whinging!
The distribution of NHS funding is absolutely appalling, and it IS unfair that people who need life saving treatment are going without.
I could write an essay of grievances about how the whole government funding system is run, from prisons, to benefits, to the NHS etc etc etc, but people would start backing away slowly from me.
With regard to the three months of treatment on this drug - I'm pretty sure that, because it's a mind altering drug in that it changes the smokers brain patterns towards nicotine.
It would be more successful if it was taken over a set period of time, in order to fully break the habit of actually having a fag say after meals, in the pub and so on, and minimise the chances of a relapse.
I know from experience that that is how Zyban works, so I'm guessing that this is similar.
mickey
Well-Known Member
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100005109.html
This explains how the drug works....may be of interest to us
This explains how the drug works....may be of interest to us
The Virgin Dubble
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100005109.html
This explains how the drug works....may be of interest to us
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks for that Mickey - very interesting.
From what I've read, it does sound strikingly similar to Zyban treatment.
I was told to start taking it, then set myself a quit date approximately two weeks after, with the dose to be adjusted in accordance with how I was coping.
TBH, after a week of taking it, I couldn't stand cigarettes at all, and gave up with no trouble at all. I did find though that I missed the physical habit of having a cigarette when I'd normally have one, but I was definitely not tempted in the slightest, and the smell of cigarettes made me feel sick. I substituted with eating though, and put on three stones in weight
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100005109.html
This explains how the drug works....may be of interest to us
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks for that Mickey - very interesting.
From what I've read, it does sound strikingly similar to Zyban treatment.
I was told to start taking it, then set myself a quit date approximately two weeks after, with the dose to be adjusted in accordance with how I was coping.
TBH, after a week of taking it, I couldn't stand cigarettes at all, and gave up with no trouble at all. I did find though that I missed the physical habit of having a cigarette when I'd normally have one, but I was definitely not tempted in the slightest, and the smell of cigarettes made me feel sick. I substituted with eating though, and put on three stones in weight
mickey
Well-Known Member
Oh god! So the resultant effects of not wanting to smoke meant you could have done with another NHS drug to keep your appetite in check ........??? more £?!!!
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
Don't need them myself and can't wait for the ban
Gingernags
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Oh god! So the resultant effects of not wanting to smoke meant you could have done with another NHS drug to keep your appetite in check ........??? more £?!!!
[/ QUOTE ]
Ah well, get some reductil on board while you are there, keep the hunger pangs at bay along with the nicotine cravings!!!
Oh god! So the resultant effects of not wanting to smoke meant you could have done with another NHS drug to keep your appetite in check ........??? more £?!!!
[/ QUOTE ]
Ah well, get some reductil on board while you are there, keep the hunger pangs at bay along with the nicotine cravings!!!
The Virgin Dubble
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Oh god! So the resultant effects of not wanting to smoke meant you could have done with another NHS drug to keep your appetite in check ........??? more £?!!!
[/ QUOTE ]
PMSL! But true!
As Gingermare just mentioned, I was prescribed Reductil.
Plus, because the excess weight aggravated my sciatica, I was also prescribed Diclofenic too...
I also got vertigo (which my GP thought might be associated with the drugs I was on) so I also had to take anti sickness drugs. I had numerous tests, xrays, hospital visits, and physio, so must have ended up costing the NHS tons!
After 12 months, I was so fed up with being ill, that I forced myself to start smoking again, and I've hardly had a day's illness since!
You couldn't make it up, could you...
Oh god! So the resultant effects of not wanting to smoke meant you could have done with another NHS drug to keep your appetite in check ........??? more £?!!!
[/ QUOTE ]
PMSL! But true!
As Gingermare just mentioned, I was prescribed Reductil.
Plus, because the excess weight aggravated my sciatica, I was also prescribed Diclofenic too...
I also got vertigo (which my GP thought might be associated with the drugs I was on) so I also had to take anti sickness drugs. I had numerous tests, xrays, hospital visits, and physio, so must have ended up costing the NHS tons!
After 12 months, I was so fed up with being ill, that I forced myself to start smoking again, and I've hardly had a day's illness since!
You couldn't make it up, could you...