Spanish Health Ministry to Fund Generic Version of "Champix"

Regulations by 2FIRSTS.ai
May.30.2024
Spanish Health Ministry to Fund Generic Version of "Champix"
Spain's Health Ministry to fund generic version of "Champix" from June, after original version pulled due to impurities.

According to El Mundo on May 29th, the Spanish Ministry of Health will start funding generic versions of "Champix" from June, a drug that was previously removed from the market due to impurities found in the production process of its main component, Varenicline.

 

Susana Verdejo, director of the Tobacco Prevention and Control Department at the Spanish Ministry of Health, revealed during a World No Tobacco Day meeting on Wednesday (May 29) that the active ingredient varenicline in the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer's drug "Champix" was ordered to be removed from shelves in 2021 by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) due to the presence of carcinogenic nitrosamine impurities above permitted levels during the manufacturing process. It is expected that in June, the version of the drug produced by the designated manufacturer Normon will be available for sale in Spanish pharmacies.

 

In Spain, two smoking cessation medications, "Todacitán" and "Recigarum," have received funding. Therefore, there are currently three smoking cessation medications available in Spain.

 

We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

Special Report | Tax Veteran Takes Helm at China’s Tobacco Regulator, Leadership Change Fuels Reform Watch
Special Report | Tax Veteran Takes Helm at China’s Tobacco Regulator, Leadership Change Fuels Reform Watch
China’s tobacco system has appointed a new top internal leader with a long background in public finance and taxation, drawing renewed attention to whether the country’s tobacco monopoly may enter a new phase of reform debate. The appointment itself does not signal a defined policy shift.But it places a veteran fiscal official at the center of a key state sector amid unresolved questions on tax reform, structure, and emerging tobacco products.
Mar.20
Andy Tan Named 2026 SRNT Fellow for Contributions to Nicotine Research
Andy Tan Named 2026 SRNT Fellow for Contributions to Nicotine Research
Andy Tan, Ph.D., has been named a 2026 Fellow of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT), an international professional association dedicated to advancing nicotine and tobacco research. Fellows are selected for outstanding research contributions as well as leadership, mentoring, and policy engagement within the field.
Feb.23
UK Opens Applications for Vaping Products Duty and Duty Stamps Scheme From April 1
UK Opens Applications for Vaping Products Duty and Duty Stamps Scheme From April 1
HM Revenue and Customs announced that from April 1, 2026, UK vaping product manufacturers, importers and warehousekeepers can apply for approval under Vaping Products Duty (VPD) and the Vaping Duty Stamps Scheme (VDS). Under new GOV.UK guidance, Vaping Products Duty will take effect on October 1, 2026 and will apply to all vaping liquids, whether they contain nicotine or not.
Apr.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Pakistan Senate health panel weighs possible vape ban
Pakistan Senate health panel weighs possible vape ban
Sources say Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on Health is deliberating whether to impose a ban on vaping products, after holding a meeting on the health implications of vaping and the rising use of e-cigarettes nationwide.
Mar.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
JTI Korea Rebrands Ploom Sticks to “EVO,” Launches 8 Variants
JTI Korea Rebrands Ploom Sticks to “EVO,” Launches 8 Variants
JTI Korea said it will rebrand the dedicated stick line for its heated tobacco device Ploom, changing the name from “Mebius for Ploom” to “EVO.”
Mar.10 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Texas college data show rapid shifts in top vaping brands, with Geek Bar/Vape surging by 2025
Texas college data show rapid shifts in top vaping brands, with Geek Bar/Vape surging by 2025
A short communication in Drug and Alcohol Dependence examined changes in the most commonly used nicotine vaping brands among Texas college students from 2023 to 2025. The study analyzed 6,049 students aged 18–25 who reported past-30-day nicotine vaping across three repeated cross-sectional spring surveys. The report found that use of Esco Bar, Elf Bar, JUUL, and Puff Bar declined from 2023 to 2025, while Geek Bar/Vape increased.
Feb.27 by 2FIRSTS.ai