This report provides a comprehensive overview of the key role of pharmacists in tobacco cessation and how this contributes to timely patient care and to health system efficiency through interprofessional care teams. The report also shares global best practices to advance pharmacy practice and international standards of patient care.
The basis for this report was established through a review of existing literature. In addition, a survey and a compilation of brief country highlights specifically tailored to engage FIP member organisations (MOs) were conducted. Our literature review suggests that tobacco cessation services or interventions provided by pharmacists are strongly correlated with health outcomes, economic savings, increased health system efficiency and reduced burden on other healthcare sectors through interprofessional collaborations. It also identified barriers that prevent the implementation of tobacco cessation services by pharmacists.
Collated evidence from 51 countries and territories and 36 country highlights have identified the range of services currently provided in different countries/regions, explain the scope of tobacco cessation service models or interventions available, explain the remuneration models available and reinforce the valuable role of pharmacists in providing these services/interventions.
The data collected indicate that while most countries support the implementation of tobacco cessation services, the scope of professional standards and policies, the remuneration frameworks and the public advocacy of the role of pharmacists in tobacco cessation varies greatly amongst countries. In addition, the data highlight the challenges faced by pharmacists in attempts to implement tobacco cessation services and demonstrate that there is a need for pharmacists to be thoroughly equipped with appropriate knowledge and skills to be competent tobacco cessation support providers. Further, it is important to strengthen the referral pathways by acknowledging the extended roles of the pharmacist in tobacco cessation initiatives. This will go a long way in fostering interprofessional collaborations between pharmacists and other members of the primary healthcare team.
