Pharmacists’ Perceptions of Participation in a Community Pharmacy-Based Nicotine Replacement Therapy Distribution Program

The community pharmacy has been proposed as an ideal location for providing smoking cessation therapy to large numbers of
patients. Studies of public health initiatives providing free nicotine replacement products through telephone quitlines have
found increased call volumes and cessation rates. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a program where nicotine replacement
therapy starter packs were provided to patients through community pharmacies at no cost. An online survey was developed to
assess community pharmacists’ participation in the program, perceptions of the initiative as a whole, and perceptions of smoking
cessation counseling activities. Eighty-three pharmacists working at participating pharmacies completed the survey (65% response
rate). Ninety-nine percent of pharmacists provided smoking cessation counseling during the study period; the median (IQR)
number of patients counseled over the initial 3.5-months of the NRT distribution program was 50 (24–100), and the median number
of minutes per counseling session was five (3–7). Most (89%) agreed smoking cessation counseling was accommodated into the
pharmacy work-flow. A majority (85%) agreed the community pharmacy is an ideal location for distributing free NRT products
and that the program should be replicated in other pharmacies (78%). Participating pharmacists viewed the program positively
and perceived it to be effective in helping patients quit smoking. In conclusion, the community pharmacy is a viable location
for implementation of community-based public health initiatives related to smoking cessation.