PCA(P)(2025)06 - Updated Patient Group Direction (PGD) For Varenicline
Published: 10/04/25
PCA(P)(2025)06 – Additional Pharmaceutical Services – Public Health Service Smoking Cessation – Updated Patient Group Direction (PGD) For Varenicline
Purpose
This Circular advises Health Boards and community pharmacy contractors of an updated Patient Group Direction (PGD) that is to be implemented for smoking cessation under the community pharmacy Public Health Service.
Background
Circular PCA(P)(2017)7, published on 29 August 2017 provided a revised service specification for the community pharmacy smoking cessation service which remains in force for the supply of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and varenicline.
Following on from the withdrawal of varenicline (Champix©) tablets from the UK in 2021, a generic version of varenicline has been launched by Teva Pharmaceuticals and is available for supply through wholesalers. This includes initiation packs, 0.5mg and 1mg packs
Detail
As varenicline is a prescription-only medicine (POM), a PGD is required to enable community pharmacists to supply it through the national community pharmacy smoking cessation service and updated training is now available.
The PGD has been and signed off by NHS 24 for use in all Health Boards. Health Boards are responsible for local governance processes to approve, sign and publish these PGDs and have been asked to complete this as soon as they are able to do so.
PGD
An updated PGD has been developed nationally to replace the original PGD that was in place for Champix©.
The Annex to this circular provides a copy of the updated draft PGD which has been approved by NHS 24 to allow pharmacists as much time as possible to familiarise themselves with the relevant details. In the meantime, as local governance procedures must be followed even when a PGD is agreed nationally, Health Boards will each approve, sign and publish this PGD through the appropriate channels.
Individual authorisation forms should be completed by pharmacists delivering the pharmacy Public Health Service and submitted to each Health Board area that they work in according to the usual process.
Training
Community pharmacy contractors should ensure that pharmacists complete the updated e-learning module on varenicline, now available on the NES TURAS Learn website at: NHS Scotland Smoking Cessation service | Turas | Learn
Review of community pharmacy smoking cessation service
A review of the smoking cessation service arrangements is currently underway and may result in future changes to the service specification. It is looking at how pharmacies link in with specialist smoking services, the IT system supporting the pharmacy service and appropriate training to support the effective delivery of the service. Further information on this will be provided once the review concludes, which is likely to be in early 2026.
There are no changes at this time to the way in which smoking cessation service activity is claimed for by pharmacy contractors.
The content of this Circular has been agreed with Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS).
Action
NHS Boards are asked to note the contents of this circular and to copy to all community pharmacy contractors and the Area Pharmaceutical Committee for information.
