proper clinical research was far more reliable.

The Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer who make the smoking cessation drug Champix are not taking all the criticisms that have been bandied around in the press lying down. The boss of media relations for Pfizer Mr. Ray Kerins recently explained a series of misunderstandings and issues that people should be made aware of.

He first pointed out that smoking is an extremely serious health problem which kills thousands of people every year. Secondly that most of the side effects reported are clearly printed in the Champix labeling. Thirdly smokers who have decided to quit smoking are often very irritable and depressed as a consequence of the sudden changes occurring in their bodies. And lastly that Pfizer welcomes the close attention which is paid to side effects that are reported to the Food & Drug Administration because this can only in the long run enhance drug safety. He also pointed out that random media reports can sometimes give a false impression of the dangers associated with certain drugs and that proper clinical research was far more reliable.

Another point that Pfizer made was that people who smoke are statistically more likely to commit suicide and that it had not been properly established whether Champix increased the likelihood of this occurring.

Martin Mackay who heads the Research and Development section for Pfizer has also been taking time to support the benefits of the Champix drug. He spoke to the media about the fact that both of his parents had smoked all their lives and this had led to their early deaths. They said that while it was important to know that taking the Champix smoking cessation medication had some side effects, overall it remained a safe and effective drug which definitely out weighed the negative aspects of continuing to smoke.

The simple fact is however that if you are heavy smoker you are far more likely to damage yourself by continuing to smoke than you are if you take the Champix smoking cessation drug and quit.