Medication case studies and challenges advisors can face

Author and presenter:
Darush Attar-Zadeh
Pharmacist and Freelance Trainer, CPPE, QUIT, Houslow SSS, London, UK

Abstract
New flexible treatment options are important to meet the needs of smokers and ideally services should provide a ‘menu’ of interventions from which clients can choose. However do these extra options affect the way services run their sessions and are there difficulties in adjusting the support?

This interactive presentation (involving multiple choice case studies) will explore hurdles that services may experience around providing informed patient choice and at the same time offering the best possible evidence based pharmacotherapies. The challenge here is to have flexible service options to meet the needs of flexible treatment options.

For example (frequently asked questions):

1. If somebody comes in and says they want to quit the next day
and use Varenicline or Buproprion – what do you do?
Delay quit attempt or use NRT?

2. How long can you do the NARS method before a person sets a
quit date and how can you tie into the evidence based programme?

3. How do you explain the mode of action of treatments like Buproprion
and Varenicline in Jargon free language and instill confidence and
improve Concordance?

4. How can you discuss all the medication options as well as cover
all the other information in the initial session (within a certain
time frame)?

5. Where do you look to get the latest SPC info on medication
and national guidance?

Source of funding: Self funded

Declaration of interest: none