A quit smoking drug, Champix, has been accused of causing greater heart risks including strokes. A study conducted at Canada has revealed that smokers using Champix are 72% more likely to develop heart-related complications. Even knowing the dire consequences of the drug, practitioners at Wairarapa are still prescribing the drug to their patients.

A Wairarapa spokeswoman said that the health providers will continue to prescribe the drug unless and until the study is backed by the Government's pharmaceutical authority, Pharmac. Commenting upon the study, she said, "At the moment that's just one study and it's being reviewed”.

The drug Champix is manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Pfize. The drug is said to reduce the craving for nicotine by blocking its side effects on human body. However, the Intensive Medicines Monitoring Programme at Ontario University has revealed that they have received reports of drug causing change in the rhythm of heartbeat.

The Health Ministry has showed its concern over the growing heart problem among the Champix users. Enver Yousuf, an official of medicine regulator, Medsafe, has said that after the review of the reports over side effects of Champix, the medical regulator will make it compulsory to attach a warning label on the packaging of the drug.