BANGKOK, 5 June 2015 – The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) has joined hands with health agencies to produce an herbal lozenge for those wanting to quit smoking.
GPO Director Nopporn Chuenklin said the organization had been developing an herbal lozenge made from little ironweed extract, as well as Cytisine pills.
A recent study has suggested that oral ingestion of little ironweed helps reduce nicotine cravings. Meanwhile, Cytisine is derived from an alkaloid of golden rain tree and has been used to treat tobacco addiction in Europe for more than 50 years. The GPO is preparing to conduct a clinical study of both treatments to substantiate their safety and efficacy.
The project will offer smokers access to a cheap cigarette withdrawal treatment. The herbal lozenge and Cytisine pills should be ready for registration within two years. The Thai Health Profession Alliance against Tobacco and Thai Health Promotion Foundation have also contributed to the project.
