Purpose

Living Well Smokefree are going to market to
procure a Patient Group Directive (PGD) via Community Pharmacies on
behalf of North Yorkshire Council. The purpose of this procurement
is to enable safe and appropriate provision of stop smoking
medications, via Community Pharmacy, that have returned to market
within the UK. An options appraisal was completed in 2024 to
explore all available routes to market before confirming that a PGD
was most suitable.

Decision

Approval has been given for the procurement of
a Patient Group Directive (PGD) via community pharmacies on behalf
of North Yorkshire Council. The procurement will enable safe and
appropriate provision of stop smoking medications.

Reasons for the decision

• To deliver the vision of a Smokefree
Generation, in line with national guidance for this funding and to
help deliver North Yorkshire Tobacco Control strategy
2015-2025
• To improve access to quit methods for people living in North
Yorkshire and being supported by Living Well Smokefree, by
expanding provision and support within communities across the
county
• To improve outcomes for priority populations, which in turn
will have a positive impact on reducing inequalities within smoking
prevalence, and subsequent health outcomes.

Alternative options considered

A full options appraisal was undertaken to
identify the best delivery model for facilitating access to
Varenicline and Cytisinicline within Living Well Smokefree. The
recommended option of procuring a PGD via Community Pharmacies is
in line with national and regional preference. Following
implementation of the PGD, individuals receiving support from
Living Well Smokefree will have access to a range of different
treatment options also including Nicotine Replacement Therapy and
E-cigarettes alongside behavioural support from trained advisors to
best meet their needs and give the best chance of making a
successful quit attempt.