Nicolites inches closer to “medicine” label

An e-cigarette manufacturer is a step closer to seeing its product classified as a medicine—a move that could see the firm supplying the devices for National Health Service (NHS) prescriptions, according to a story in The Birmingham Post.

Nicolites said it was “well advanced” in talks with the medicines regulator over plans to have its products prescribed by medical professionals.

It is one of two known manufacturers—alongside Nicoventures, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco—to apply for a license from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, the NHS body responsible for setting down guidance on specific kinds of treatment and care for people using the NHS in England and Wales.

The news—which comes shortly after Nicolites received a major boost with Tesco Express, the second-largest retailer in the world measured by profits, signing up to sell its products—stands to give Nicolites a competitive advantage since it could market its product as a “medicine.”

Nikhil Nathwani, managing director of Nicolites, said the company hoped to achieve marketing authorization sometime this year.