Community Pharmacy Policy and Procedures: Smoking Cessation Services

PTB Reports, 2024, 10, 2, 61-65.
DOI: 10.5530/PTB.2024.10.11
Published: December 2024
Type: Research Article
Authors: Yousef Ahmed Alomi*, Abeer Hussin Almasoudi, Abdullah Hameed Alrasheedi, Abdulrahman Wasel Koja, Amal Radi Aljuhani, Mohammad Humood Alenezi

Author(s) affiliations:

Yousef Ahmed Alomi*, BSc. Pharm, MSc. Clin Pharm, BCPS, BCNSP, DiBA, CDE, Critical Care Clinical Pharmacists, TPN Clinical Pharmacist, Freelancer Business Planner, Content Editor and Data Analyst, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA.

Abeer Hussin Almasoudi, BSc. Pharm, BCPS., Director, Organizational Excellence, Ministry of Health Branch, Tabuk, SAUDI ARABIA.

Abdullah Hameed Alrasheedi, MD, Resident Of Saudi Board Of Preventive Medicine, Tabuk Health Cluster, Tabuk, SAUDI ARABIA.

Abdulrahman Wasel Koja, MD, Preventive Medicine Department, Tabuk Health Cluster, Tabuk, SAUDI ARABIA.

Amal Radi Aljuhani, Preventive Medicine Department, Tabuk Health Cluster, Tabuk, SAUDI ARABIA.

Mohammad Humood Alenezi, MD, Preventive Medicine Department, Tabuk Health Cluster, Tabuk, SAUDI ARABIA.

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the Smoking Cessation and Services policy in Community pharmacy practice as a new and potentially impactful initiative in Saudi Arabia. Methods: It was a narrative review of the Community pharmacy policy and procedures of the Smoking Cessation and Services system. Literature searched databases, including PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar, about specific Smoking Cessation and Services policies and procedures in Community pharmacy practice. The search period is from the 1960s until October 2021. The term is in English and includes narrative review, systemic review, meta-analysis and guidelines. All hospital or Community pharmacy services are included in a search term. Besides, the national and international guidelines for general smoking cessation services in hospital practice are also included. The Community Pharmacy Smoking Cessation and Services Committee, a key component in developing and implementing the policy, was formulated and consisted of various expert members. These members included clinical pharmacists, drug information pharmacists and clinical Smoking Cessation and Services specialists. The committee was responsible for drafting the policy, reviewing and correcting it and ensuring its alignment with the best practices in the field. The topic emphasizes the competency of community pharmacies in terms of smoking cessation and services policy and procedures. Results: The Community Pharmacy Smoking Cessation and Services policy comprised various items. That included the Smoking Cessation Services committee, patient assessment, laboratory tests, dispensing, patient counseling and drug monitoring. Conclusion: The Community Pharmacy Smoking Cessation Services policy is a new initiative of community pharmacy practices and activities. This policy is not just a preventive and supportive measure but a necessity in the fight against tobacco-related morbidity. It can reduce the economic burden on the healthcare system and improve patients’ quality of life. Therefore, the community pharmacy Smoking Cessation Services policy is not just recommended but essential for the new model in the community in Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Policy, Community pharmacy, Services, Saudi Arabia. 



 

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