CPD


of serious neuropsychiatric adverse events in the composite primary endpoint compared with placebo. Depressed mood, rarely including suicidal ideation and suicide


A GP sample letter (Figure 5) is also part of standard documentation and should be given to the GP to confirm the patient has been supplied with this medication by you, allowing the GP to update their records and to make them aware of the supply. Figure 5: GP SAMPLE LETTER


Dear Dr Patient’s name: Address: DOB:


I saw the above patient at the pharmacy today and I have recommended and supplied him/ her with varenicline tablets to help him/her give up smoking. The patient would be taking varenicline for a maximum of 12 weeks. Could you please add this medicine to the patient’s medication records? No further action would be required from you, as the patient would be receiving all supplies of varenicline from my pharmacy.


Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information.


Yours sincerely


................………..(Signature) …………………. (Print Name)


attempt, may be a symptom of nicotine withdrawal.


• Clinicians should be aware of the possible emergence of serious neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients attempting to quit smoking with or without treatment. If serious neuropsychiatric symptoms occur whilst on varenicline treatment, patients should discontinue varenicline immediately and contact a healthcare professional for re- evaluation of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS OF STUDY There is no significant increase in neuropsychiatric adverse effects (AEs) in varenicline compared with NRT patch or placebo.


The neuropsychiatric safety warning has been amended, to read a patient with or without psychiatric disorder is not associated with an increased risk of serious neuropsychiatric adverse events compared with placebo.


Care should be taken with patients with a history of psychiatric illness.


Varenicline shows superior abstinence rates compared to other methods and placebo.


A superior efficacy statement has been added, where patients treated with varenicline demonstrated an increased abstinence during weeks nine through twelve compared to NRT or placebo. •


Figure 6: PCR ADDITIONAL INITIAL DATA SET QUESTIONS FOR VARENICLINE


Figure 7


TRAINING AND EDUCATION


When involved with the smoking cessation service, the pharmacist and support staff offering the service must complete the online NHS Education for Scotland (NES) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ1) accessed at:


www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-discipline/pharmacy/about- nes-pharmacy/educational-resources/resources-by-topic/public-health-and- emergency-planning/public-health/smoking/smoking-cessation/smoking- cessation-training.aspx


Studied the Public Health Service (PHS) circular June 2014 service specification accessed at:


www.communitypharmacyscotland.org.uk/media/75131/PCA2014-P-12. pdf#Page=3


The Pharmacist must also, as well as completing the PGD, have satisfactorily completed the approved online training by NHS Education for Scotland (NES) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ 2) which can be accessed at:


www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/education-and-training/by-discipline/pharmacy/about- nes-pharmacy/educational-resources/resources-by-topic/public-health-and- emergency-planning/public-health/smoking/smoking-cessation/smoking- cessation-training.aspx


Varenicline Patient Group Direction (PGD) associated with your local NHS board accessed at :


www.communitypharmacy.scot.nhs.uk/nhs_boards.html FOOT NOTE


In my personal experience, I feel it is one of the most rewarding parts of our profession where we can make substantial health and financial improvements to a person’s life and make a real difference.


Patients, the public and government expect that every pharmacy professional maintains their professional capability throughout their career. Keeping a record of your CPD enables you to confirm that you are meeting these expectations. It also helps you to retain and build your confidence as a professional and it will provide evidence that you meet the CPD requirement.


34 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST


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