ABSTRACT
Aims In November 2005, the indications for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) were broadened in the UK, making all forms available to 12-17 year olds. This study aimed to estimate the effects of this change on prescribing of NRT to adolescents in England.
Design Segmented regression analysis of primary care data on prescribing of nicotine replacement therapy using General Additive Mixed Models.
Setting 350 general practices in England included in The Health Improvement Network (THIN), a database of UK electronic primary care records.
Participants All 12-17 year old patients registered with a THIN practice in England.
Measurements Monthly rates of prescribing of NRT per 100,000 12-17 year old patients registered with a THIN practice between January 2002 and June 2009.
Findings Prescribing of NRT was highest in 16-17 year olds and extremely low in 12-13 year olds, generally under 10 prescriptions per 100,000 adolescents per month. Girls tended to be prescribed NRT more frequently than boys. In 12-17 year olds rates of prescribing were increasing prior to the broadening of indications, and there was no step change, but the rate of increase was lower, after the indications were broadened.
Conclusions Recent changes to the marketing licence for nicotine replacement therapy in England to include adolescents appears to have had little or no effect on prescribing practices.