Canterbury pharmacists authorised to prescribe, dispense NRT

31 May 2012

Canterbury pharmacists authorised to prescribe and dispense NRT

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (the Guild) has welcomed the decision that Canterbury community pharmacists are now able to prescribe and dispense Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). This decision came into effect from 1 May 2012.

To become Quitcard providers, community pharmacists will need to undertake an e-learning module developed by the Ministry of Health. So far over 364 pharmacy staff have completed the training, with 82 out of Canterbury’s 108 pharmacies having registered to provide Quitcards and NRT to smokers who want to quit.

“The Guild supports the vision of Smokefree Aotearoa 2025 and its members are committed to encouraging and supporting patients who want to quit smoking,” says Guild Board member and Christchurch pharmacist, Mark Webster. “Canterbury pharmacists are very pleased that they have finally been given the opportunity to fully utilise their knowledge of medicines by allowing them to become Quitcard providers.”

“Community pharmacists are ideally positioned to provide access to nicotine replacement therapy and other smoking cessation programmes,” says Guild President, Karen Crisp. “As highly trained medicines experts, they can provide proper patient support.”

“We hope that community pharmacists throughout the country will be offered the same opportunity as our Canterbury colleagues.”

This announcement coincides with World Smokefree Day which takes place today.

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand (Inc) is a national membership organisation representing community pharmacy owners. We provide leadership on all issues affecting the sector and we advocate for the business interests of community pharmacy.

For additional information on the Guild and community pharmacy, please go to www.pgnz.org.nz.

ENDS

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