Smoking cessation during the pandemic scenario with pharmacist support: is it a possibility?

Paula de Fátima Fernandes Blunk, Célio Rezende Lara Júnior, Sabrina Gonçalves Ferreira, Isabella Almeida Cruz, Mariana Martins Gonzaga do Nascimento

  • Paula de Fátima Fernandes Blunk Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
  • Célio Rezende Lara Júnior Prefeitura de Belo Horizonte
  • Sabrina Gonçalves Ferreira Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
  • Isabella Almeida Cruz Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
  • Mariana Martins Gonzaga do Nascimento Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais

Abstract

Smoking is a risk factor for the development and worsening of several diseases, such as COVID-19, making smoking cessation a priority health intervention. This study aims to evaluate a smoking cessation service provided by pharmacists in primary health care (PHC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a quasi-experimental study conducted to evaluate the service offered through 1-10 virtual meetings in three PHC units in a Brazilian capital between 2020 and 2021. A descriptive analysis of the variables was carried out. Of the 29 patients enrolled in the service, six were monitored through an individual approach (20.7%) and 23 in a group approach (79.3%); cessation was observed in 50.0% (n=3) and 82.6% (n=19), respectively. All patients used medication to stop smoking, 13 (44.8%) used nicotine and bupropion; 13 (44.8%) nicotine only; and 3 (10.3%) nicotine and nortriptyline. Nicotine-containing medications were all prescribed by the pharmacist. Regarding smoking in the pandemic, 11 patients (37.9%) reported an increase; 4 (13.8%) decrease; and 14 (48.3%) no change. Only three patients reported a diagnosis of COVID-19. The remote pharmaceutical service for smoking cessation proved to be effective in the scenario studied, requiring continuous expansion of these services.

Keywords: Tobacco Use Cessation. Pharmaceutical Services. Primary Health Care. Telemedicine. COVID-19.

Published
2024-06-08