Conflicts of Interest with Big Pharma

Friday, April 03, 2009, New Study Demonstrates How Conflicts of Interest with Big Pharma Influence Reporting of the Effectiveness of Drug Treatment

Conflicts of Interest with Big Pharma: How NRT Effectiveness is Reported

A study published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal) in 2009 examined the effectiveness of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) in smoking cessation, particularly for individuals who were unable or unwilling to quit smoking abruptly. The study aimed to determine whether NRT could help smokers achieve sustained abstinence or at least significantly reduce their cigarette consumption.

Key Findings from the Study

The study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of NRT trials and reported the following results:

✔ Sustained Abstinence at Six Months

• NRT Group: 6.75% of smokers successfully quit smoking.
• Placebo Group: 3.28% quit smoking.
• Relative Risk: NRT users were twice as likely to achieve sustained abstinence compared to the placebo group.

✔ Sustained Abstinence at Final Follow-Up (One Year)

• NRT Group: 1.6% remained abstinent.
• Placebo Group: 0.4% remained abstinent.

✔ Sustained Smoking Reduction at Six Months (Defined as a reduction in cigarette consumption by more than 50%)

• NRT Group: 21.8% reduced their smoking.
• Placebo Group: 16.5% reduced their smoking.

✔ Sustained Smoking Reduction at Final Follow-Up

• NRT Group: 6.3% maintained a significant reduction in smoking.
• Placebo Group: 1.6% maintained a significant reduction.

What These Results Mean

While the study suggests that NRT can double the likelihood of quitting compared to placebo, the absolute success rates remain very low—with only 1.6% of smokers quitting after a year. This raises concerns about the true effectiveness of NRT as a long-term smoking cessation strategy.

The Role of Big Pharma in Reporting Effectiveness

Pharmaceutical companies have a vested interest in promoting NRT as an effective smoking cessation aid. However, the data shows that the vast majority of smokers relapse despite using NRT, calling into question the marketing claims and widespread endorsement of these products.

Many independent researchers and clinicians argue that alternative methods, such as clinical hypnosis, may offer a more effective, holistic approach to smoking cessation. Unlike NRT, which merely substitutes one nicotine source for another, hypnosis addresses the psychological and behavioral triggers behind smoking addiction.

A Critical Perspective

Although NRT is widely promoted, the actual success rates highlight the need for alternative, more effective smoking cessation methods. If your goal is to quit smoking permanently, considering evidence-based alternatives like hypnotherapy may provide a more successful, long-term solution.

📌 Bottom Line: The study confirms that NRT has limited long-term effectiveness, and smokers seeking to quit should explore more holistic, lasting solutions beyond pharmaceutical interventions.