Anti-smoke move lauded

MPs crusading to stamp out smoking have welcomed a move by Government drug-buying agency Pharmac to subsidise the drug Champix.

Pharmac medical director Peter Moodie said a new multi-product agreement with Pfizer meant patients with a form of kidney cancer would have a new treatment option in sunitinib, and the deal included auto-immune disorder treatment etanercept (Enbrel), and stop smoking drug varenicline (Champix).