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Physician and Pharmacist Care of Varenicline Users in a Real-World Setting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2013

Mai Frandsen  and
Stuart G. Ferguson
Mai Frandsen
Affiliation:
School of Pharmacy, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
Stuart G. Ferguson*
Affiliation:
School of Pharmacy, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
*
Address for Correspondence: Dr Stuart Ferguson School of PharmacyUniversity of TasmaniaPrivate Bag 26 Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, Australia Tel: +61 3 6226 8536 Fax: +61 3 6226 7627 E-mail: stuart.ferguson@utas.edu.au
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Abstract

Since its launch as a smoking cessation aid, varenicline use has been linked to a number of serious adverse events, notably the exacerbation of pre-existing psychiatric illness, depressed mood and suicidal ideation. Regulators’ fears have been somewhat allayed by varenicline's status as a prescription only medication. The purpose of this study was to examine the care provided by physicians – or general practitioners – and pharmacists to varenicline users under real-world conditions. Participants were 141 patients who had filled a prescription for varenicline at a participating pharmacy within the previous six-months. Identified patients were mailed a survey to complete that included items on interactions with their physician and pharmacy staff, and knowledge of treatment side-effects. Most participants reported that their physician encouraged them to set a quit date (82.5%) and provided additional cessation materials (57.2%). While most (79.0%) physicians discussed whether varenicline was appropriate for the patient, fewer asked about psychiatric illness (40.1%), or asked to be informed about mood or behaviour change during treatment (48.1%). Participants (78.4%) reported that their physician had discussed a follow-up consultation, but only 59.4% of patients who had finished treatment at the time of the survey reported having one. Most reported discussing potential drug side-effects with their physician (71.0%) and or pharmacist (52.9%); when probed, knowledge was variable. These results suggest that many patients do not receive the level of support that physicians and pharmacists are assumed to provide.

Keywords

smoking cessationvareniclinephysician carepharmacist
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Smoking Cessation , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , June 2013 , pp. 11 - 16
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2013 

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