PCTs to decide what to do with free NRT products
Primary care trusts in England will be able to decide for themselves how to allocate free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) stock to be supplied to them as part of deals reached between the Department of Health and three pharmaceutical companies.
Under the agreements, the exact workings of which have not been revealed
for commercial reasons, thresholds will be decided for the use of smoking
cessation products, including Zyban (bupropion). Prescribing figures
will be analysed quarterly and, if the thresholds are exceeded, the companies
will provide additional free stock to PCTs on a proportional basis. Deliveries
of stock will be made every six months and, according to a Department
of Health spokeswoman, it will be for PCTs to decide whether this should
be supplied to pharmacies or delivered to clinics. The DoH expects that,
with additional support being given to National Health Service smoking
cessation schemes, prescribing of NRT will rise. Free stock sufficient
to help an additional 10,000 smokers in England to stop is expected be
provided under the agreement. Prescriptions issued under patient group
directions are not included in the scheme and PCTs that have made their
own agreements with companies will be excluded.
Products are being supplied by GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis Consumer Health
and Pfizer, each having reached separate deals. The DoH specifically
requested that free stock be supplied rather than cash rebates as this
gives better value, it says. |
