PSNC has hit out at the Department of Health’s Quit Kit scheme, saying they unfairly discriminate against independent pharmacies and are no substitute for pharmacy-delivered smoking cessation schemes.PSNC said the scheme had been deployed without consultation with the sector and that it “would not associate itself” with it.The comments followed the DH’s announcement that independent pharmacies could now order the kits. Multiples had already begun supplying the kits.PSNC hit out at the DH over its stop smoking initiative for not involving the committee in the distribution plans, instead operating on an “ad-hoc pharmacy-by-pharmacy basis”.“Many pharmacies, and disproportionately independents, have not been given the same opportunity to take up the scheme,” PSNC warned. “It is also worth noting that some who have been asked to take it forward have been asked to cover a number of associated costs.”

The comments came after inaccurate media coverage and widespread confusion over how to order Quit Kits, prompting Numark’s Mimi Lau to call the scheme a “shambles”. “This promotional campaign is not a funded NHS pharmacy service and it has not been planned, rolled out, or negotiated as one,” PSNC said. “Promotional campaigns are important, but cannot and should not be viewed as an alternative to properly funded, pharmacy-delivered NHS stop smoking services.”PSNC quoted the success of pharmacy-led clinical support schemes such as in Walsall’s Co-operative pharmacy, where quit rates have reached 90 per cent.PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe said: “Initiatives that discriminate between different pharmacy owners, or that do not value or reward use of the professional skills of the pharmacy team, impede pharmacy’s development and ultimately sell patients short.”“PSNC will not associate itself with initiatives like these and will continue to focus on the development of fully funded pharmacy services that deliver quality for patients and value for the NHS,” she added.The DH said it had invited pharmacy partners to participate in the Quit Kit initiative and that it was open to all pharmacies stocking NRT. The department is now working with community pharmacy bodies to ensure participation from independent pharmacists.