In May 2017, the Government of Navarra announced funding for smoking cessation medications. This decision required actions beyond merely economic ones to guarantee satisfactory results, among others, that the user participated in monitoring during the cessation process.
The College of Pharmacists of Navarra (Cofna) raised with the Administration the benefits of including pharmacies as another health center in the process of quitting smoking. A project that proposed the collaboration of pharmacies, detecting people who may need help and monitoring and monitoring treatment as is done in health centers. This project included the training of pharmacists and the accreditation of pharmacies. The Navarrese government was a pioneer, not only by financing medicines, but also by allowing scheduled support for smokers to take place in the pharmacy. After a year, more than 100 patients had chosen a pharmacy to carry out their individual support program.
56% were “recruited” directly from the pharmacy to quit smoking, and 40% of them quit smoking.
Having pharmacies has a positive effect on abandonment rates. The 600 pharmacies in Navarra are the opportunity to reach more smokers, people who visit the pharmacy repeatedly and for different reasons, which facilitates active intervention by the pharmacist. Pharmacies offer proximity, trust and time, key elements on which the approach to smoking is based. Without forgetting that, behind each counter there are trained professionals, committed to health policies aimed at building a healthier society and working towards the sustainability of the Navarrese health system.
Today is World No Tobacco Day, I dare to give you some advice: If you want to stop smoking, ask your pharmacist for help.
