Page 25 - P4403.59-V69 Numark Pharmacy Magazine october

Are you ready
for Stoptober?
1 -31 October
st
st
Smoking is one of the biggest causes of
preventable deaths in England.
The majority of smoking-attributable deaths
occur among people aged 35 and over, as this
group is most likely to be affected by smoking-
related illnesses.
Stoptober, a month-long campaign to
encourage the nation’s smokers to make a quit
attempt for the month of October and beyond,
aims to raise awareness about the health
hazards of smoking and by running a smoking
cessation service alongside this campaign
can help support your customers to make the
change to their lifestyle.
The power of support
Studies and pilot schemes have consistently
shown that when customers are offered
support in their journey to quit smoking, the
success rates rise dramatically. Without any
support, only around 2-3% of smokers succeed
in quitting, but with the right assistance, this
figure can skyrocket to an average of 20%. This
significant difference highlights the crucial role
that healthcare professionals play in helping
individuals break free from the clutches of
tobacco.
Community pharmacists:
The ideal support system
You are uniquely positioned to offer essential
support for customers looking to quit smoking.
You can provide not only guidance and
counselling but also vital resources such as
nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and, when
appropriate, prescription medications like
varenicline or bupropion via a Patient Group
Direction (PGD). This comprehensive approach
ensures that individuals have access to the
tools they need to kick the habit and lead
healthier lives.
P4403.59-V69 Numark Pharmacy Magazine october.indd 25
P4403.59-V69 Numark Pharmacy Magazine october.indd 25
Why offer a Smoking Cessation Service?
Improve sales of OTC Smoking Cessation
products: By offering a dedicated smoking
cessation service, your pharmacy can enhance
the sales of over-the-counter smoking
cessation products. Smokers attempting to quit
will be more likely to choose your pharmacy for
their needs.
Build customer loyalty: Providing valuable
healthcare services like smoking cessation can
enhance customer loyalty. People will remember
your pharmacy as a place where they received
life-changing support.
Create an additional revenue stream: Besides
being a public health initiative, offering smoking
cessation services can be a new source of
revenue for your pharmacy, helping you expand
your business.
Setting up your Smoking Cessation Service
To help you get started on this journey, we
have provided several downloadable resources,
marketing materials and guidance to assist
you in setting up and promoting your smoking
cessation service. Access these at numarknet.
com/smokingcessation
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to initiate
the process:
Check the CPC: Your Clinical Commissioning
Group (CCG) may commission your smoking
cessation service. Ensure you are aware of the
requirements and opportunities within your
area.
Talk to your local GPs: Establish communication
with your local General Practitioners. Let them
know about your plans to start a smoking
cessation service. Collaborating with GPs can
lead to patient referrals, further enhancing the
reach of your service.
Encourage your counter staff: Your entire
team can play a vital role in promoting and
recommending the service to customers. Ensure
that your counter staff are well-informed
and able to engage with customers on this
important health initiative.
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