NVP, Replacement Therapy for Nicotine Addiction in Malaysia

According to Malaysian media kosmo's report on May 23rd, while most people are aware of the health risks of smoking, there are still individuals who are unable to quit due to nicotine addiction. Professor Madya Dr. Rusdi Abd. Rashid from the Malaysia University Addiction Science Research Center pointed out that nicotine is not only found in traditional cigarettes but also in e-cigarettes. Additionally, while the number of traditional cigarette smokers is decreasing, the use of e-cigarettes is on the rise. He also mentioned that some people who have never smoked before have developed a smoking habit due to the influence of e-cigarettes.

The number of e-cigarette users is on the rise. However, many smokers actually want to quit but have not been successful. Dr. Lucidi explains that once people become addicted to nicotine, it is difficult to quit smoking. Therefore, they need help from medications and counseling.

He said, "If smokers follow the correct process, they may be able to quit smoking completely within a month. From a treatment perspective, we have nicotine replacement therapy available, along with counseling sessions.

Meanwhile, Lumelife Sdn Bhd's latest approach is to utilize NVP, a form of nicotine replacement therapy resembling a vaporizer. In Australia, NVP has been widely used to assist patients with nicotine addiction. Dr. Lucidi explains that NVP is a safe product for individuals looking to quit smoking.

He said, "I understand that this device is made from a concentration of nicotine and it can help us assist those who want to quit smoking. However, before using NVP, patients need to go see a doctor and get a prescription from the doctor, they cannot use it casually.

The product has been registered, but has not yet been launched in order to increase knowledge and training for doctors in advance. Recently, Lumelife has partnered with UMCAS and the Malaysian Islamic Doctors Organization (PERDIM) to enhance medical knowledge and training regarding NVP prescriptions within the MAF framework, equipping healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to handle complex emergency situations related to nicotine dependence.

He said that Lumelife will leverage its expertise in the field of medical education to focus on nicotine dependency management under the MAF. 

He said, "Through this collaboration, we have jointly developed a comprehensive training program specifically for nicotine dependency management. This program will cover various topics, including the physiological and psychological effects of nicotine, cognitive aspects of addiction, identifying and distinguishing diseases related to vaping, and strategies for smoking cessation using TGA-approved NVP.

Health professionals will have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of health issues related to vaping and enhance their clinical skills in addressing this challenge through lectures, workshops, and clinical sessions. Professor Pan Shidi stated that individuals addicted to nicotine need the help of medication and counseling in order to successfully quit smoking. He mentioned that if smokers fairly go through the process of dependence, they may be able to quit smoking within a month. In terms of treatment options, experts are currently using nicotine replacement therapy and conducting one-on-one counseling sessions.