Since December 1999, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has been available in community pharmacies without a medical prescription. The Cespharm and the French Office for Tobacco Prevention (OFT) conducted a prospective study to evaluate the use and impact of NRT dispensed by pharmacists. For one month in 2001, everyone purchasing a NRT in 240 pharmacies was asked to complete a questionnaire and, with his agreement, was contacted by telephone three months and one year later.

The data collected showed that the three-month and one-year tobacco abstinence rates for the people surveyed did not differ significantly according to whether the NRT was dispensed on medical prescription or solely with the pharmacist’s advice.

Poster displayed at the 63^rd FIP Congress in Sydney Australia, September 2003.