Do pharmacy staff recommend evidenced-based smoking cessation products? A pseudo patron study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether pharmacy staff recommend evidence-based smoking cessation aids.


METHODS
Pseudo patron visit to 50 randomly selected Sydney pharmacies where the pseudo patron enquired about the 'best' way to quit smoking and about the efficacy of a non-evidence-based cessation product, NicoBloc.


RESULTS
Nicotine replacement therapy was universally stocked and the first product recommended by 90% of pharmacies. After prompting, 60% of pharmacies, either also recommended NicoBloc or deferred to 'customer choice'. About 34% disparaged the product.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence-based smoking cessation advice in Sydney pharmacies is fragile and may be compromised by commercial concerns. Smokers should be provided with independent point-of-sale summaries of evidence of cessation product effectiveness and warned about unsubstantiated claims.
Chiang
P P C
PP
School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Chapman
S
S
D001315:Australia; D003625:Data Collection; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010595:Pharmacists; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*
D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009538:Nicotine