2009 Innovative Product Award

Pfizer Canada Inc.
Varenicline Tartrate
Champix

Varenicline marketed by Pfizer is the first example of an alpha4-beta2 nAch Receptor partial agonist specifically designed for smoking cessation. As a partial agonist, varenicline has a novel and unique mechanism of action, which allows a basal nicotinic receptor action to reduce craving experiences during nicotine withdrawal, and also blocks positive reinforcement by nicotine should the patient lapse to smoking while on therapy.

In a Cochrane meta-analysis and head-to-head clinical trials, this novel mechanism of action has been demonstrated to translate into an efficacy advantage over other currently available pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation, bupropion SR and nicotine replacement therapy.

Recently published economic evaluations have indicated the favourable cost-effectiveness of varenicline compared with unaided cessation and other aided interventions including counselling alone, nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion SR and nortriptyline. The Medical Letter (July 2008) considers that the benefits of using varenicline to stop smoking may outweigh the risks of using the drug.

Smoking is the number one preventable cause of premature death in Canada. The clinical and scientific data indicate that Champix is an effective drug and increases the chances of smoking cessation. It is the first of a new class of drugs and the first new medication for smoking cessation in almost a decade that has shown superiority over the existing therapies.

The Innovative Product Award is presented annually to the company that has developed a drug judged by the Prix Galien Canada jury to have made the greatest contribution to the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of a disease, a disorder, an abnormal physical state or the symptoms thereof, in humans and animals. The selected drug will have shown highly positive effects on patient care in Canada in terms of safety and innovation.

Dr. Brian O’Neill accepts the Prix Galien Canada 2009 Innovative Product Award on behalf of Pfizer Canada Inc with The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health (left), and Dr. Jacques Gagné, Prix Galien Canada Jury President (right).