Pharmacy Daily | Peak bodies unaware of NVP program

PHARMACY'S peak bodies report having no knowledge about the details of a Philip Morris International (PMI) backed patient support program for nicotine vaping products (NVP).

The scheme is expected to be rolled out by PharmaPrograms, and will allegedly provide fees to pharmacists for referring patients to a doctor to request an NVP, providing education about PMI's VEEV vaping product, and a "dispensing support payment" when they fill new scripts for product, News Limited reported.

A spokesperson for the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) said the organisation only became aware of the program yesterday.

"PSA does not support any direct involvement by tobacco companies with pharmacists, or any health professionals for that matter," the spokesperson said.

"PSA also does not condone tobacco companies providing financial support for continuing professional development (CPD) or any activity."

A spokesperson for the Pharmacy Guild of Australia noted that it had no involvement in the program, but added that the organisation had not pressed for NVP to be made Prescription-Only products.

"The Guild is unaware of the details of the program but it must be noted that prescriptions are required for nicotine products to be used with vaping equipment," the spokesperson said.

"The pharmacist's role is to dispense the medication as prescribed.

"The pharmacist does not have a role in making specific recommendations to doctors in relation to prescribing of nicotine products.

"The Guild did not request that this product be made prescription only -- that is a decision taken by the Therapeutic Goods Administration."

A spokesperson for PharmaPrograms told Pharmacy Daily that "it is important to note that pharmacists are not paid to recommend a product".

"The VEEV Pharmacy Program exists to support patients who have been prescribed nicotine vaping products by an authorised prescriber," the spokesperson said.

"The Federal Government has asked pharmacists to supply vaping products by prescription, and the program aims to support pharmacies in managing safe and effective dispensing of these products, only once a prescription is received."