Pfizer And Chantix Go Up In Smoke… In Japan
6 CommentsBy Ed Silverman // January 4th, 2011 // 8:02 am
Talk about strategic blunders. For a company that prides itself on astute marketing and touts the virtues of expanding in Asia, Pfizer somehow managed to entirely misjudge demand for its Chantix pill for quitting smoking when Japan significantly raised cigarette taxes in October. Yet the move had been telegraphed back in late 2009, giving the drugmaker ample time to boost supplies to a rising number of Japanese who saw the new tax as a reason to quit the habit. But the Pfizer team choked.
Less than two weeks after the tax increase went into effect, Pfizer had to suspend sales until production could be increased. Three months later, Chantix is still hard to come by, and this happens at a time when US sales are falling due to side effect concerns that regularly generate negative press. (In the first nine months of 2010, Chantix global sales were roughly flat at $522 million). The most recent example was a study that linked several drugs - but singled out Chantix, in particular - to numerous acts of violence (read here).
The irony is that, after winning approval to sell Chantix in Japan, where 36 percent of the men smoke cigarettes, Pfizer embarked on a major ad campaign to woo smokers. And the tax, as The New York Times points out, was a big opportunity to win new business - a recent poll of 1,110 smokers found that 13.9 percent of respondents quit smoking, and 15.5 percent planned to stop. “An extraordinary number of people decided to quit, and our reading of the situation was off,” a Pfizer spokesman tells the paper. “We expected more demand, but not to this extent.”
Indeed, last summer Pfizer reportedly had some 70,000 Chantix patients and prescriptions rose to 170,000 by September. To cope, Pfizer tells the paper that about 450,000 starter packs will be shipped this month in hopes of capturing some of the demand. Most likely, the sudden increase in use will be closely watched by consumer advocates who say Chantix - which is called Champix in Japan - for any corresponding increase in psychiatric side effects, such as suicide (see this), or violent acts. Pfizer has long maintained further studies are needed to determine whether such problems are due to the med or symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Perhaps, Japan will inadvertently become such a testing ground.
harpy
oh right…nicotine withdrawal. most people I know would break down and smoke if the withdrawal got that bad. people who are quitting smoking are typically doing it to make their lives better - why would anyone making such a positive step then commit suicide?
Pelfrey1
Which is exactly the reason US sales are off and is likely to be an argument against Cantix or Champix…it can lead to psychotic breaks not commonly associated with breaking the nicotine habit. Glad I quit, lo these many years, cold turkey!
KickinTheNic
Cigarettes are suicide…long and slow. Chantix works for some very well, and others can’t see past the initial side effects. On the aggression and suicides…again, quit if things get weird. The main thing is to be aware. I have tried to quit so many times, and finally did with the drug mentioned. 3 months of treatment and no desire to light up. But, I’m fortunate. I know an anecdote means nothing, but I am happy and believe it is a great option for some.
TERRI
That’s just it!! to “quit, if things get weird” is where the problem is!! You can’t KNOW when to quit Chantix…as it is sooo sneaky, slow and thorough once in your bloodstream….that you are OBLIVIOUS to the spiral!!!!
As far as “be aware”…there is no such thing. The venom running thru your veins does not permit you…the luxury of stepping back and taking a good look at yourself…and perhaps thinking…hmmm…I’m acting weird.
That’s NOT at how it works. You could share a bunkbed w/doctor…and he/she STILL couldn’t get to you in time. Black box, purple box…no matter…there IS no warning strong enough to prepare you for what is about to come. THE DRUG CAUSES HALLUCINATIONS, DISTORTED THINKING, TEMPORARY BLACKOUTS, ETC….I KNOW…I TOOK IT!!! I SPEAK FROM HONEST TO GOODNESS EXPERIENCE!!!
YANK IT!!!!!!
industry insider
I hope that the drug succeeds in Japan and everywhere as a matter of time management. Not just the Japanese, but EU as well, every time my group has a meeting with an ex US pharma company, we have to schedule extra time for smoke breaks. Can’t say anything negative however, cuz they’re paying the freight.
industry insider
I hope that the drug succeeds in Japan and everywhere as a matter of time management. Not just the Japanese, but EU as well, every time my group has a meeting with an ex US pharma company, we have to schedule extra time for smoke breaks. Can’t say anything negative however, cuz they’re paying the freight.