Pfizer Limited (India), the Indian arm of the world’s largest pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc., has launched an anti-smoking drug Champix in Indian market.

Champix is the first non-nicotine based prescription drug for smoking cessation having approval by US FDA in the last 10 years.

The company stated in an official release that all Champix users can avail ‘Champs Club’ support program that together with the medication will help smokers desiring to quit, overcome their addiction.

The product which has already been prescribed to around 5.75 million people worldwide is poised to be a revenue builder for Pfizer. The drug had global sales of around US $1 billion and is currently available in 45 countries.

The company is launching this drug in 17 cities initially and is priced at Rs 9,500 for a 12-week treatment regime.

Yesterday, the company announced earning results for the year ended November 30, 2007. The company has registered a 220.6 per cent jump in net profit to Rs 338.9 crore for the year ended November 30, 2007, as compared with Rs 105.7 crore in 2006.

Further, the company’s board of directors has also recommended total dividend of Rs 27.50 per equity share of face value Rs 10.

After the announcement of news, the stock surged 4% and ends the day at Rs 656 on NSE. It touched an intraday high and low of Rs 660 and 640 respectively.