Pharmacists on the front line in providing support for nicotine replacement therapy and bupropion purchasers

Increased access for smokers to pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation suggests that pharmacists have a potential role in influencing how these pharmacotherapies are used in the community. This study aimed to identify the extent and type of advice provided by pharmacists to customers purchasing nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or bupropion and to identify pharmacists' perceptions about the desirability and feasibility of providing such advice.

A sample of 700 pharmacies was selected at random from the NSW Electronic Yellow Pages and a questionnaire was sent by mail, fax or e-mail to the pharmacist in charge.

From 665 eligible pharmacies, 375 pharmacists returned completed questionnaires, giving a response rate of 56.4%. Participants reported providing a mean of 5 minutes of advice to both bupropion and NRT purchasers, with 59.5% reporting the provision of behavioural advice to NRT purchasers. Although over 70% of pharmacists perceived the provision of a brochure about NRT or bupropion as desirable and feasible, brochures were provided to less than one-third of NRT purchasers.

Pharmacists report providing a sizeable amount of advice to purchasers of NRT and bupropion. Recommendations for enhancing the role of pharmacists in influencing the use of cessation pharmacotherapies are discussed briefly.