Resolved to Quit Smoking This Year?

ALLEGAN, Mich., Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Although smoking is an expensive habit, let's face it, nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) to help you quit smoking can seem like expensive purchases as well.  The reluctance to spend money on NRT leads many smokers to try to do it "cold turkey" – the most popular method for quitting smoking, but also one that frequently leads to relapse.  

The use of store brand over-the-counter aids or medication to quit smoking can triple your chances of success(1).  Two of the more common over-the-counter aids are nicotine polacrilex gum and nicotine lozenges.  These therapies are oral dosage forms of nicotine replacement therapies and work as temporary aids to help you quit smoking by reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms.  Other effective smoking cessation products, including patches, nasal sprays and medication, are available both over-the-counter and by prescription.  

Store brand savings

There are a number of options consumers have to save money on quitting smoking therapies.  The first option is to consider purchasing store brand NRT products.  Store brand products offer significant savings over the national brand and are equivalent to the national brand, in terms of FDA quality standards and efficacy.  The store brand NRT products can be found at leading retailers across the nation.

Regularly monitor retailers' circular flyers and websites, and remember retailers will often discount NRT products – especially around popular "quit dates" such as New Year's Day (Jan.) and the Great American Smokeout (Nov.), sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

** Prices and savings based on national averages of major retailers. Actual prices may vary.  (SymphonyIRI Group, 52 weeks ending 11/21/10)

Prescriptions and pretax savings

In addition to the savings over-the-counter store brand NRT products provide, consumers can also realize potential savings by asking their healthcare provider to write a prescription for these products.  By going the prescription route, many insurance providers will offer the same NRT product for the cost of your lowest-tier co-pay, which may be less than the "shelf" price.  In many states, Medicaid covers the costs of both over-the-counter NRT products and prescriptions for quitting smoking.  For more information on the specific coverage in each state, visit the American Lung Association's website.  Other available avenues for savings include:  

• Many employers offer free medication or assistance for employees looking to quit.  It is always worth checking with your human resources department to find out if these resources are available to you.    
• Some state quit lines may offer free or discounted smoking cessation medication.  Learn more by calling 1-800-QUIT NOW.  

Tips to Get Started

Your decision to stop smoking is an important one.  Tips to get started:

• Follow a support plan.  Personalized plans are available at smokefreehabits.com.
• Throw away all of your cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays.
• When you feel an urge to smoke, do something else.  The urge usually passes within two or three minutes.
• Carry things to put in your mouth, like gum or hard candy.
• Be active.  Take a walk with a friend, ride your bike, walk the dog or play tennis.
• Go to places you are not allowed to smoke.
• Ask friends and/or family for support whenever you need it

Resources for quitters

There are a number of free resources and support programs available for individuals who are quitting smoking, including the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/tobacco/osh), the National Cancer Institute (www.smokefree.gov), and the American Lung Association's Freedom from Smoking program (http://www.ffsonline.org/). Store brand smoking cessation products, once purchased (need product UPC), have an online support program (www.smokefreehabits.com) to help consumers track their progress.

Perrigo Company (Nasdaq: PRGO; TASE), is the leading manufacturer of store brand NRT products, including store-brand nicotine gum and nicotine lozenges, for national retailers such as Walgreens, Target, CVS, Kroger and Wal-Mart.      

Perrigo Company is a leading global healthcare supplier that develops, manufactures and distributes OTC and generic prescription (Rx) pharmaceuticals, infant formulas, nutritional products, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and pharmaceutical and medical diagnostic products. The Company is the world's largest store brand manufacturer of OTC pharmaceutical products and infant formulas. The Company's primary markets and locations of manufacturing and logistics operations are the United States, Israel, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Australia. Visit Perrigo on the Internet (http://www.perrigo.com). 

(1) http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab000146.html

SOURCE Perrigo Company