Britain has offiicially approved a new drug intended to help alcoholics reduce the urge to drink. The drug is called nalmefene, or Selincro, and is taken as needed or once per day as part of a comprehensive alcohol treatment program. The plan has been launched by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and candidates will be prescribed the drug through their family doctor (GP). The pill will be available free and is expected to cost the UK government approximately £280M (USD$440M) per year.
The drug works by reducing the beneficial effects of drinking alcohol, and is intended for mild drinkers, those drinking two to three glasses of alcohol per evening. An estimated 750,000 residents of the UK are considered candidates.
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