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

Malaysia anti-tobacco groups call for stronger enforcement as unregulated vapes remain on sale offline and online
Malaysia anti-tobacco groups call for stronger enforcement as unregulated vapes remain on sale offline and online
Anti-tobacco groups in Malaysia say the continued sale of unregulated vapes in physical stores and the online availability of vape devices underline the need for comprehensive enforcement.
Mar.02 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Five Inner West Sydney shops shut for 90 days after 780,000 illicit cigarettes and 2,200 illegal vapes seized
Five Inner West Sydney shops shut for 90 days after 780,000 illicit cigarettes and 2,200 illegal vapes seized
NSW Health has shut down five Inner West Sydney stores for 90 days after a major seizure of illicit cigarettes and illegal vapes, with two additional premises in Northern NSW also served closure notices. The action forms part of a broader crackdown that has seen 66 stores closed since new laws took effect in late 2025, with NSW Health warning further enforcement — including prosecution — may follow.
Feb.09 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Special Report | New Patents Show China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Testing Gas-Releasing Nicotine Pouches
Special Report | New Patents Show China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Testing Gas-Releasing Nicotine Pouches
Newly published patent filings indicate that China Tobacco Hubei Industrial Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China National Tobacco Corporation (CNTC), is exploring nicotine pouch technologies capable of releasing gas during oral use. The designs include carbon-dioxide microcapsules that burst in the mouth and effervescent systems that generate gas through chemical reactions with saliva, suggesting efforts to introduce new sensory dynamics into modern oral nicotine products.
News
Mar.04
Belarus opts for stricter regulation instead of full e-cigarette ban
Belarus opts for stricter regulation instead of full e-cigarette ban
Belarus rejects full e-cigarette ban, opts for stricter regulation. Officials plan to restrict wholesaling and strengthen import and production permits.
Mar.04 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court Rejects Challenge, New Vape Rules to Take Effect on August 6
Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court Rejects Challenge, New Vape Rules to Take Effect on August 6
Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court has rejected an injunction seeking to stop a new vape regulation from taking effect, ruling that there was no specific harm to constitutional rights. As a result, Technical Regulation RTCR 519-2025, promoted by the Health Ministry, will enter into force on August 6 as originally planned.
Mar.20 by 2FIRSTS.ai
U.S. Adult Smoking Rate Falls to Historic Single-Digit Low of 9.9%, Study Shows Shift in Nicotine Use Patterns
U.S. Adult Smoking Rate Falls to Historic Single-Digit Low of 9.9%, Study Shows Shift in Nicotine Use Patterns
A new study analyzing National Health Interview Survey data found that adult cigarette smoking in the United States declined to 9.9% in 2024, down from 10.8% in 2023. The findings, published in NEJM Evidence, represent a historic milestone in U.S. tobacco control efforts. Researchers noted that while cigarette smoking is decreasing, the prevalence of e-cigarette and cigar use remained largely unchanged, suggesting a shift in nicotine consumption rather than the elimination of tobacco use.
Market
Mar.20