1. COMMUNITY PHARMACY WORKBOOK 2016-18 PUBLIC HEALTH DORSET
Supply of varenicline (Champix ®)

2. Your details
Name:
Position:
Pharmacy:
Date:
Notes:

3. Aims and outcomes introduction
Community pharmacies are able to supply varenicline for smoking cessation via patient group direction (PGD).
Aims and outcomes
To improve access and choice for patients who want to stop smoking
To improve primary care capacity by reducing medical practice workload related to smoking cessation

4. When can I supply varenicline?
The patient must be suitably willing to quit and willing/able to attend 1-1 sessions Main contra-indications (refer to PGD for full list): Pregnancy and/or breastfeeding Patient under the age of 18 Patient not willing for information to be passed to GP Where the patient does not meet criteria for supply under the PGD, they can be signposted to other health and social care professionals

5. When should I signpost?
If the patient wishes to stop smoking but you cannot supply varenicline under the PGD:
Discuss alternative therapies for smoking cessation
Refer the patient to their GP who may be able to prescribe

6. Who can supply under the pgd?
ONLY a pharmacist who has carried out the required training can undertake consultations and supply the medication.
Technicians are not eligible to supply medicines under PGD.

7. CONSIDERATIONS
When pharmacotherapy is required to assist in supporting a quit attempt patients should be assessed based on medical history, previous use and client choice.
NRT or varenicline may be used as a first line option for smoking cessation.
Patients should be fully informed of the risks and benefits of the available treatment options through verbal and written information.

8. The first consultation
Complete the relevant stage on PharmOutcomes.
Follow the varenicline PGD checklist form, ensuring that all the relevant information is provided to the patient. This information includes:
Treatment schedule
Administration
Side effects
Dose tapering
Consent to share information
General stop smoking advice
Follow-up
Where to get more information

9. The first consultation (continued)
Check the patient understands advice given and ask them to sign the consultation form.
Keep this form as a record of the consultation and patient consent.
Provide the first 2 weeks treatment as a titration pack and arrange the follow up appointment.

10. REQUIREMENTS FOR ONGOING CONSULTATIONS
Update on PharmOutcomes.
Provide a further 2 week supply of varenicline. (Do not supply any more than 2 weeks at any one time).
Arrange next follow up appointment.
Patients who experience side effects should be advised to seek advice from the pharmacist, or their GP; all serious suspected adverse reactions should be reported to the MHRA on a yellow card.
Patients should be advised to discontinue treatment and seek prompt medical advice if they, or their family or carers notice that the patient has developed agitation, depressed mood or suicidal thoughts.

11. DOSE AND FREQUENCY
The recommended dose is 1 mg oral varenicline twice daily with a 1 week titration at the beginning and end of the 12 week period.
Days 1-3: 0.5mg (white) once daily
Days 4-7: 0.5mg (white) twice daily
Day 8 onwards: 1mg (blue) twice daily
End of treatment reduction (starter pack in reverse)
1mg (blue) twice daily for 7 days then 0.5mg (white) twice daily for 4 days then 0.5mg daily for 3 days
Patients who cannot tolerate side effects, but are still motivated to continue treatment may have their dose lowered temporarily or permanently to 0.5mg twice daily
Provision for the first two weeks supply is provided as a titration pack, which contains one clear blister of 11 x 0.5 mg film-coated tablets and a second clear blister of 14 x 1 mg film coated tablets.

12. Administration and Payment
A record of each supply of varenicline must be made on the PMR. The patient’s GP must be notified of the supply of varenicline by fax. It is the responsibility of the pharmacist to inform the patient’s GP. The pharmacy should submit a claim on PharmOutcomes at each stage of supply for payment for supplies of varenicline (part of normal claim). The pharmacy will be paid £6 for each initial supply of varenicline, plus the basic drug cost and £2 dispensing fee for each 2 week supply.

13. PGD sign up and next steps
Once you have studied the PGD and this workbook please complete the Varenciline workbook questionnaire on the Public Health Dorset website.
If you are new to participating in the supply of varenicline via the community pharmacy PGD you must ensure you sign a copy of the PGD sign up sheet and keep this for audit purposes.