On 16th December 2024, ASH hosted a Smokefree NHS Network online event on the smoking cessation medications varenicline and cytisine.
The webinar provided an overview of varenicline and cytisine, a case study from Greater Manchester on their use in trusts and a summary of the NCSCT training materials and briefings on these medications. There were also presentations from the Specialist Pharmacy Service who have published a new Patient Group Direction (PGD) template for varenicline and will be publishing one for cytisine early next year and Fresh who are working with local authorities and pharmacy colleagues to develop a regional PGD Pharmacy supply service for varenicline & cytisine, in the community.
This event will be of interest to all those implementing and delivering smoking cessation/tobacco dependency treatment services in the community and in secondary care, including clinical staff, local stop smoking services, pharmacists, tobacco dependency clinical leads, tobacco dependency advisors and public health professionals.
Speakers and slides
Professor Sanjay Agrawal, National Specialty Adviser for Tobacco Dependency at NHS England and Consultant in Respiratory and Intensive Care Medicine
Chair’s welcome
Download Sanjay's slides here
Professor Matthew Evison, Associate Medical Director, Greater Manchester Cancer & Clinical Lead, Make Smoking History, Greater Manchester Regional Tobacco Control Programme
Greater Manchester varenicline offer
Download Matthew's slides here
Kieran Reynolds, Advanced Specialist Pharmacist - Medicines Governance, Specialist Pharmacy Service
Specialist Pharmacy Service - Varenicline PGD
Download Kieran's slides here
Joanna Feeney, Stop Smoking Systems Strategic Manager, Fresh and Balance
Fresh regional PGD Pharmacy supply service for varenicline and cytisine
Download Joanna's slides here
Sophia Papadakis, Academic and Health Systems Consultant & Louise Ross Clinical Consultant, NCSCT
Overview of NCSCT varenicline and cytisine training and briefings
Download Sophia and Louise's slides here
Q&A
Resources
ASH
- Previous webinars in this series Quitting smoking through vaping & Collaboration & smoking cessation services; community pharmacy, Trusts & the local authority
- To join the Smokefree NHS Network here and browse the network pages.
- NHS tobacco dependency treatment hub. Browse the NHS tobacco dependence treatment hub for ASH resources to support implementation of tobacco dependence treatment in acute, mental health and maternity settings.
- Partner resource map. To help you make the most of the support available, we have developed a map to help you navigate the support for tobacco dependency treatment services ASH and our partners are providing.
NCSCT
- Cytisine page
- Local Stop Smoking Services and support: commissioning, delivery and monitoring guidance
- Cytisine briefing
- Dosing guide
- Cytisine specific Product Characteristics
- Template for getting Cytisine approved by Medicines Management
- Tobacco Dependence Treatment - Inpatient Training package
Specialist Pharmacy Service