Decision details

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.

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.

• 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.

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.