Page 26 - P4403.59-V69 Numark Pharmacy Magazine october

Smoking Cessation by country for Your OTC range matters
NHS services.
England
This is an Advanced NHS Service, but is only
for patients coming out of hospitals aimed
to continue their stop smoking efforts after
discharge, so this service is not offered to
patients asking in the pharmacy.
More information can be found by visiting
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/
advanced-service-specification-nhs-
community-pharmacy-smoking-cessation-
service/ or download resources from
numarknet.com/3427
Northern Ireland
Stop Smoking Service where the customer
attends the pharmacy for weekly advice and
NRT supply over a 12-week period.
Find out more and download resources at
https://bso.hscni.net/directorates/operations/
family-practitioner-services/pharmacy/
contractor-information/contractor-
communications/hscb-services-and-
guidance/stop-smoking/
Wales
This National Stop Smoking Service allows
linkage between pharmacies to supply NRT
with intensive behavioural support provided by
Help Me Quit and other NHS Wales smoking
cessation services.
More information can be found at https://
cpwales.org.uk/additional-clinical-services/
stop-smoking-services-d68/
Scotland
Public Health Scotland smoking service allows
for supply of NRT and Varenicline by PGD (when
available).
Access more information at https://www.cps.
scot/core-2/public-health-service
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P4403.59-V69 Numark Pharmacy Magazine october.indd
P4403.59-V69 Numark Pharmacy Magazine october.indd
Smoking cessation products come in different
formats and strengths to suit the needs of your
customers. They include, Lozenges, patches,
sprays, gums and e-cigarettes.
Lozenges leads the category as a convenient,
effective format, with patches being one of
the key categories for new customers looking
to start their quit journey, whilst Gum performs
well for quick fix users.
Whilst products may be cheaper and more
accessible in a supermarket, customers aren’t
able to access the advice available to them in
a pharmacy. One-to-one support will go a long
way, particularly with those just starting out. So
it’s important to make it clear that you can offer
the professional support that they’re after.
In this month’s YourOTC magazine, you will find
deals on the top three NRT brands Nicorette,
NiQuitin and Nicotinell. Take a look and get
stocking for this Stoptober!
Varenicline
In 2021 Champix (varenicline) was removed from
the market and subsequently removed from
NHS stop smoking services. In Autumn 2024,
a generic version became available, and Pfizer
also reintroduced Champix in June of this year.
As stock is now freely available, the product
is being added back into NHS stop smoking
services, providing additional choice for
patients. Varenicline has been shown to work as
well as vapes and is more effective than NRT
patches and gums.
It is taken in a once-a-day and then twice-a-
day pill format, reducing cravings for nicotine
and also helping with withdrawal symptoms
such as feeling irritable or having difficulty
sleeping.
When used alongside behavioural support such
as counselling, the drug has been shown to help
around 1 in 4 people to stop smoking for at
least six months.
New products coming to the market also
include Belnifrem® (Cytisinicline) from Viatris, a
smoking cessation medication used to support
the reduction of nicotine cravings in smokers
who are willing to stop smoking. Find out more
about Belnifrem® at numarknet.com/belnifrem
Need more help with your OTC offering? Head
over to numarknet.com/member-benefits/otc
for more support and resources.
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