FROM
Rewar;h & Development
March 27, 1992
Priwite ,~, Confidential
"3
10
TO
Mr. Jean-Louis Mercier
jZeVonse to RAT Industries' Note on Tnnsdermstl
Nicotine (28,02,92)
We ar-- not in a position to comment on claims
that the nicotine trarisdermal patch
developed by Stowic Resources Ltd. is an
improvement over existing transdermal nicotine
delive-; systems. We are aware that studies of the
efficacy of nicotine gum or
tnansdermal patches on smoking cessation
invariably show a significant benefit in the short
term, but only a small advantage (if any) over
placebo in the long term (6+ months).
Since i- is our belief that the smoldng habit is
not determined solely by nicotine, but also
by a n=ber of conditioned behavioural responses
and organoleptic rewards, no substitute
relying on nicotine alone will be 100% effective
in achieving smoking cessation.
Having said that, given the large proportion of
smokers wanting to quit, any device which
helps even a small fraction to achieve this goal
has the potential to have a negative impact
on our *-.11siness. One could make an argument for
the industry supporting development
of alt=-ative nicotine delivery systems by
considering them in the same philosophical
light as brand extensions or, in this case, a
business extension. The rationale is that if
anyore is going to take away our business it
should be us.
As mentioned in the letter, there is a growing
awareness that nicotine itself can be
benefic::al: it can enhance mental performance,
act as a therapeutic (e.g. Tourette's
syndro =-, ulcerative coliris etc.) or be used to
prevent the onset of certain dL;e=s (e.g.
Parldnson's, endometrial cancer etc.). Although at
prtsent nicotine has more bad press
than gcod, in the fumm there may be a market for a
nico6iie- delivery system over and
above -ts use as a quirtLng tool. (I'm sure the
manufacturer of nicotine gum and
transde-mal patches won't miss too many
opportunities to promote this Idnd of use).
In conLusion, in effective quitting aid based on
nicotine could have a serious impact on
our business and it would be better for us than
someone else to profit from it. But
whethe: the Stowic Resources transdermal patch is
such a device we don't know
(reme=:~!er the premature leap into Favor?).
However there may be a market for this
device !.s a therapeutic Ln the (much?) longer
term.
CD
N-)
U-1
C~o
U-1
BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 26
October 1999


-2-
If we were inter-ested in pursuing this fizther,
and with the absence of the F.R.C. pool
of resources, we should commission an independent
review of the work being done in the
field (both technical aspects and clinical
trials), the backgrounds of the other companies
involved, the pawnt situation &ad the regulatory
requirements governing the sale of such
products.
C)
N)
Q;--
cc
GN
BATCo document for Province of British Columbia 26
October 1999