To the Editor: From 1 February to 30 June 2001, 277 602 prescriptions for the smoking cessation drug bupropion hydrochloride (Zyban, GlaxoSmithKline) were processed. The Health Insurance Commission approved 343 737 prescriptions for bupropion between 1 February and 30 June.1 Comparing this figure with the 277 602 processed scripts, some 66 135 (19.2%) scripts went unfilled. One reason for this may have been extensive publicity given to reports of deaths and numerous adverse reactions following bupropion use.
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- 1. Health Insurance Commission. Prescription data, item 8465M. 2001. <http://www.hic.gov.au/statistics/dyn_pbs/forms/pbs_tab1.shtml#info>. Accessed 22 Jun 2005.
- 2. ADRAC update on buproprion (Zyban). Therapeutic Goods Administration website. <http://www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/zyban.htm>. Accessed 22 Jun 2005.
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SC has received funding from SmithKlineBeecham (now GlaxoSmithKline) for the preparation of professional and public educational material on smoking in Australia.