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Nicotine replacement therapy practices in Finland one year after deregulation of the product sales--Has anything changed from the community pharmacy perspective?

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  • Kurko, Terhi
  • Linden, Kari
  • Vasama, Mari
  • Pietilä, Kirsi
  • Airaksinen, Marja

Abstract

Objective According to the Finnish national Current Care Guideline of smoking cessation (SC), pharmacists' task is to support rational and safe use of NRT products. In 2006, the Medical Act releasing NRT from pharmacy only to general sales was amended. This study assesses the Finnish pharmacy owners' and staff pharmacists' perceptions of NRT products' role and usage patterns about a year after the deregulation.Methods A nationwide survey was conducted, targeting every second Finnish pharmacy owner and staff pharmacist (n = 2291), working in community pharmacies. Response rate 54% (n = 1190).Results According to respondents, inappropriate usage of NRT, like possible addiction, products' misuse or use in harm reduction purposes, exists in Finland. NRT sales have decreased at pharmacies and clients obtain only the counselling for NRT at pharmacy but buy the products elsewhere. The motivation to counsel NRT customers has diminished among 30% of pharmacy owners and 17% of staff pharmacists. Still the respondents found that it is pharmacists' duty to offer SC counselling and NRT important in SC.Conclusions Despite NRT products' sales at pharmacies having decreased and especially pharmacy owners' motivation to counsel NRT usage having diminished, pharmacists still see it as their duty to guide and support SC.

Suggested Citation

  • Kurko, Terhi & Linden, Kari & Vasama, Mari & Pietilä, Kirsi & Airaksinen, Marja, 2009. "Nicotine replacement therapy practices in Finland one year after deregulation of the product sales--Has anything changed from the community pharmacy perspective?," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(3), pages 277-285, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:91:y:2009:i:3:p:277-285
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thorndike, A.N. & Biener, L. & Rigotti, N.A., 2002. "Effect on smoking cessation of switching nicotine replacement therapy to over-the-counter status," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(3), pages 437-442.
    2. Shiffman, Saul & Sweeney, Christine T., 2008. "Ten years after the Rx-to-OTC switch of nicotine replacement therapy: What have we learned about the benefits and risks of non-prescription availability?," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(1), pages 17-26, April.
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    1. Kurko, Terhi & Silvast, Antti & Wahlroos, Hannes & Pietilä, Kirsi & Airaksinen, Marja, 2012. "Is pharmaceutical policy evidence-informed? A case of the deregulation process of nicotine replacement therapy products in Finland," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 105(2), pages 246-255.
    2. Bardage, Carola & Westerlund, Tommy & Barzi, Sahra & Bernsten, Cecilia, 2013. "Non-prescription medicines for pain and fever—A comparison of recommendations and counseling from staff in pharmacy and general sales stores," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(1), pages 76-83.
    3. Håkonsen, Helle & Sundell, Karolina Andersson & Martinsson, Johan & Hedenrud, Tove, 2016. "Consumer preferences for over-the-counter drug retailers in the reregulated Swedish pharmacy market," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(3), pages 327-333.

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