AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT FOR THE
PROVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES
(Live Healthy Smokefree Service)
PHARMACY CONTRACT 2014-15
Current prescribing arrangements
Pharmacies currently provide 5 weeks NRT medication to clients undertaking a quit
attempt. Clients normally require medication for up to a period of 12 weeks. After the
initial 5 weeks NRT is supplied via a prescription from the individual’s GP but the 1:1
intervention continues to be delivered through the Smokefree Specialist within the
Pharmacy
Proposed change
It is proposed that from 1 April 2014 that the complete course of NRT medication for
up to 12 weeks quit attempt is supplied through the pharmacy. This will bring it in line
with Cambridge CAMQUIT programme and align across the Peterborough and
Cambridgeshire CCG area. The respective GP surgery will no longer be required to
provide a prescription.
Proposed schedule
Initial assessment
No NRT supplied
PreQuit appointment
1st supply of NRT, 1week
*prescription charge per item if applicable (letter to GP to inform NRT issued)
Weekly follow up x4 AFTER Quit date
FU 1 week post quit
1 week NRT supply
FU 2 weeks post quit
1 week NRT supply
FU 3 weeks post quit
1 week NRT supply
FU 4 weeks post quit
2 weeks NRT supply
*prescription charge per item if applicable.
4 week outcome recorded and CO verified.
Letter to GP re outcome of quit attempt.
FU 6 weeks post quit
2 weeks NRT supply
FU 8 weeks post quit
2 to 4 weeks NRT supply as appropriate
*prescription charge per item if applicable
FU 10-12 weeks post quit as required complete episode on QuitManager
*NB If clients are exempt from NHS prescription charges then there is no charge to
the client for the supply of NRT through this scheme
Clients who are not exempt from prescription charges will be required to pay one
prescription charge for each product type for every 4 week cycle of NRT supplied i.e.
patch and gum would incur 2 charges.
If the quit attempt is not successful at the 4 week stage (see criteria for 4 week quit)
there should be no further supply of NRT. This should be assessed on an individual
basis i.e. one lapse in week 3 or 4 continue with current quit attempt (but record 4
week outcome as not quit), or if returned to regular smoking the client can restart
another quit attempt when appropriate.
Rationale





The pharmacy will be involved in supporting the full quit attempt without the
need to involve other health care professionals in the supply function.
The pharmacy will be fully reimbursed for the medications supplied for up to
12 weeks with an additional £1 per NRT product supplied from 6-12 weeks.
The pharmacy/client will not have to involve their GP and the inconvenience
of acquiring a prescription after 5 weeks
The process will be simpler with less administration and more continuity of
care for the client as the GP surgery will no longer have to supply the
prescription request from the Phamacy.
It will reduce the possibility of delaying the prescription
Contract change
Under the existing contractual arrangements a variation of contract can be made as
the due process is undertaken. Please refer to B1.1 – B1.3 for details of variation
criteria. The contract change must be agreed and signed by all GP and Pharmacy
Providers who have an existing Public Health contract to supply a Smokefree
service. New providers coming onto the scheme will sign up to this arrangement
from commencement of their contract.
Signatures
The person set out below is authorised from the Commencement Date to act on
behalf of the Provider on all matters relating to this Contract (the Provider
Representative).
Name :
…………………………………………………………………………………
Title:
………………………………………………………………………………….
Contact Details: …………………………………………………………………………………..
Signed by (on behalf of Peterborough City Council):
Name:
…………………………………………………………………………..
Title:
……………………………………………………………………………
Contact Details:
……………………………………………………………………………