EU Totally Wicked sends e-cigarette to each member of the European Parliament in fight against TPD

[Bill Godshall]

Totally Wicked sends e-cigarette to each member of the European Parliament in fight against TPD
http://world.einnews.com/pr_news/15...-the-european-parliament-in-fight-against-tpd

 

[Bill Godshall]

It would be helpful if other e-cigarette companies contacted MEPs in the EU.

 

[TheWrathOfSanity]

*applauds*
This is possibly the best way to go about it.
The main question is, we do not need a prescription to purchase nicotine gum or patches, why would we need it for any other type of nicotine product?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ChrisUp2Late]

*standing O from Canada*

The most bizarre part is that they seem to be proposing a prescription for "higher" nicotine concentrations.

 

[rolygate]

The main question is, we do not need a prescription to purchase nicotine gum or patches, why would we need it for any other type of nicotine product?

The issue of prescription or OTC classification is different from that of pharmaceutical licensing. All products marketed to treat, cure or diagnose a medical condition (or that have a significant pharmacological effect, should the regulatory agency decide to act on the product) require a license. Subsequently, they can be classed as prescription-only or OTC (and several levels of that). As nicotine-containing products are seen as among the safest licensed products, they do not need a prescription. Indeed, a small child can take them off the low shelf in the general products aisle in my local supermarket they are displayed on.

E-Cigarettes would become an OTC product of the lowest safety classification if sold as licensed pharmaceuticals. Clearly, if any child over the age of 12 can legally be given nicotine products, and without their parents' consent (as in my country), and they are displayed on low shelves on the open store, then nicotine containing products (NCPs) may need a license due to legal (i.e. commercial) issues but are (correctly) not seen as having any significant risk. The aspirins and paracetamols next to them (or the drain cleaner in the next aisle) will certainly kill you more efficiently and with far more certainty.

 

[Bill Godshall]

I thought that one of the MHRA documents released yesterday stated that a prescription would be required to purchase any e-cigarette products that are licensed by MHRA.

Here in the US, drugs are typically approved by FDA to require a prescription. If the company submits additional safety evidence about the product to FDA, the FDA can approve it for OTC sales. That's what happened with NRT, which required a prescription back in early 1990's, but was approved by FDA for OTC sales around 1995 (as I recall sending comments to FDA urging them to approve OTC sales of NRT to increase their usage by smokers).

 

[John Phoenix]

Bill do you have a link to that document? The article I'm reading from the BBC simply says

Once licensed, e-cigarettes are expected to remain on sale over-the-counter in the UK.

BBC News - E-cigarettes face new restrictions