Pharmacia Is Unrivalled in Product Availability, Accessibility, and Initiatives to Reduce Tobacco Use Around the World Pharmacia, a Leader in Tobacco Dependence Research and Treatment, Is the Primary Patron of the 11th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health CHICAGO, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ -- Thoughtleaders from around the world are convening here this week for the 11th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health to discuss a global epidemic: tobacco dependence. According to the World Health Organization, tobacco dependence is a recognized disease and causes 3.5 million deaths each year -- or one every 9 seconds.(1) If current patterns persist, about 500 million people alive today eventuall will be killed by tobacco use; 250 million of those smokers are children who will start smoking, and 250 million are existing smokers.(1) By 2020, tobacco is expected to be the single greatest cause of premature deat worldwide, accounting for about 300 million deaths per year.(1 "The tobacco pandemic demands comprehensive action from both the public and private sectors," said Stephen P. MacMillan, Sector Vice President, Global Specialty Operations, Pharmacia Corporation. "As the global leader in the research and development of the treatments for tobacco dependence, we are proud to support this unparalleled international initiative to share good practice from around the world on effective tobacco-control measures that will ultimately save lives. We have been committed to this cause for almost thirty years, dating to the original research which led to the development of Nicorette gum, in subsequent other dosage forms." The World Bank Recommends Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Tobacco Control To reduce the demand for tobacco, the World Bank has called for broader access to treatment, including nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)(1), which Pharmacia scientists began researching in 1962. Company statistics show Pharmacia NRT products have helped nearly 50 million people overcome their tobacco dependence. The World Bank also calls for increased consumer information, restrictions on smoking in public places, taxation, and bans on advertising and promotions for tobacco.(1) "Tobacco is the single most preventable risk to human health. Pharmacia's mission is to work with the public and private sectors, including the World Bank, to create an environment of political, professional and public opinion conducive to reducing the harm tobacco caused for people of all ages in every country," said MacMillan. A Personalized Approach Pharmacia has focused on the individual smoker for over 30 years. Why does he or she smoke? Why can some smokers quit on their first attempt and others not? How can smokers' withdrawal symptoms be managed? How can we help the smoker who is motivated to reduce his or her smoking? This personalized approach contributed to the Pharmacia's discovery of nicotine replacement therapy in 1971 and the launch of the first NRT product -- Nicorette(R) gum -- in Switzerland in 1978. Today the company manufactures and markets nicotine replacement products in five different forms under the brand names Nicorette and Nicotrol(R) -- gum, patch, nasal spray, inhaler, and sublingual tablet. These products are available in various countries around the world by prescription or over-the-counter at pharmacies. In the United Kingdom, Nicorette gum is available in grocery retail outlets. In the United States, Nicorette gum is marketed by SmithKline Beecham. Education an Integral Component of Pharmacia's Multi-faceted Approach In line with the World Bank's recommendations to change the worldwide pattern of escalating tobacco use and tobacco-related death and disease, Pharmacia participates in a variety of education programs. These include involvement in the WHO Partnership Project to Reduce Tobacco Dependence -- a three-year project focusing on four European countries, as well as public service announcements (PSA) for broadcast in Europe and the United States. About Pharmacia Corporation Pharmacia Corporation (NYSE: PHA) is a leading global pharmaceutical company created through the merger of Pharmacia & Upjohn with Monsanto Company and its G.D. Searle unit. Pharmacia has a broad product portfolio, a robust pipeline of new medicines, and an annual investment of more than $2 billion in pharmaceutical research and development. The Consumer Healthcare division of Pharmacia is a world leader in the development of tobacco dependence therapies, and is the pioneer in innovative nicotine replacement therapy products marketed globally as the Nicorette(R) and Nicotrol(R) gum, patch, inhaler, nasal spray and sublingual tablets. For product information, refer to www.nicotrol.com. References 1. World Bank Development in Practice Series. Curbing the Epidemic: Governments and the Economics of Tobacco Control. 1999. www.worldbank.org/html/extpb/epidemic.htm SOURCE Pharmacia Corporation CONTACT: Mary-Frances Faraji of Pharmacia, 908-306-8361, or [email protected]; or Kim Diamond of Edelman Healthcare, 212-704-4535, or [email protected]/ /Web site: http://www.nicotrol.com / -END-