Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, a Rs. 9,100 crore research-led global integrated pharmaceutical company, has launched Kwitz, a medically approved nicotine replacement therapy that helps smokers embark on a step by step journey towards a smoke-free life.
Kwitz nicotine gum will be available in two variants. Kwitz 2mg will be available as an OTC product for smokers having less than 20 cigarettes per day and Kwitz 4mg for smokers consuming more than 20 cigarettes per day as prescription product.
Kwitz, a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) product provides treatment to smokers who are willing to get on a journey to quit smoking altogether by reducing dependency on cigarettes gradually. NRTs substitute a small quantity of nicotine otherwise obtained from cigarette smoking, with clean nicotine in moderate amounts to help satiate the cravings, thereby assisting an individual in control the withdrawal symptoms and reduce chances of a relapse. Unlike tobacco smoke, it allows users to access to nicotine which is free from harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide, tar and other irritants hence providing a safe way for smokers to achieve a smoke-free life.
On the occasion of the launch Sujesh Vasudevan, president, and Head – India, Middle East and Africa, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd said, “Glenmark is proud to bring Kwitz, a nicotine replacement therapy in India. This product will help smokers achieve a healthier life by quitting tobacco smoking. We hope that Kwitz will help the individuals find a sustainable way to stop smoking in an easy step by step process”. He further added, Kwitz is not just a product but a helping hand and support system for those who would want to quit smoking completely, thereby helping the individual and those who are around them.”
WHO estimates that tobacco use (smoking and smokeless) currently causes more about six million deaths and many of these are known to occur prematurely. The majority of the world’s smoker population (80%) lives in low or middle-income countries, and smoking among males are found to be ten times higher than women across 49 countries. On an average, 12 years of life year is lost due to smoking. If the current worldwide smoking patterns were to persist, about 10 million deaths will occur per year from smoking by 2020.
In India, approximately 2,200 people die every day from tobacco-related diseases, and World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that the death toll will cross 1.5 million annually by 2020. Oral Tobacco consumption is highest in India. The economic burden on the country is approximately Rs. 2.5 million through direct medicinal costs, absenteeism for treatment and loss of income due to premature death due to tobacco-related diseases.