Drug used to curb smoking amongst vets seen as killer?

Secretary James Peak of the Veterans Affairs Administration briefed reporters today on the issue of smoking cessation. Specifically, Peak mentioned the Pfizer drug Chantix which is supposed to help patients quit smoking. According to the non profit organization the Institute for Safe Medicine Practices nearly 3,000 serious health effects including suicides, heart trouble and aggression, the study said.

Currently the military is using the medication to help treat soldiers who have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The Department of Veterans Affairs has been conducting studies on the possible adverse health effects which have been noted in the research provided by the Institute for Safe Medicine Practices. The study has focused on 945 patients who are using differing medications to curb their smoking habits. Out of those 945 patients 143 have also taken the drug with therapy.

According to Peak the veteran population that has been using Chantix to stop smoking is about 33,000 but Peak stressed that if the rates of high injury and suicide were to continue, the department would not hesitate to take it off the shelf. “We know how to do recalls; given our electronic records we are at a better position than most to do that on a large scale across the this entire department.”

Democrats though criticized the Veterans Administration for what they viewed as playing with people’s lives. “Nearly 40 suicides and more than 400 incidents of suicidal behavior have been linked to Chantix, yet the VA has chosen to continue the study and administer Chantix to veterans with PTSD,” said Congressman Bob Filner (D-CA).

The Veterans Affairs Department will continue conducting its study but Peak stressed that the department would continue to do whatever necessary to keep veterans healthy. “We understand this population very well, we’re a department of veterans,” Peak added “our veterans mean absolutely everything to us.”