Free smoking cessation CPD for Victorian pharmacists

From June, pharmacists across metro and regional Victoria will have access to free training sessions to help their patients quit smoking.

‘Pharmacists are highly respected in the community and could play an even bigger role in helping smokers to quit,’ said Quit Victoria Director Dr Sarah White.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in Victoria, and 80% of smokers report wanting to kick their deadly addiction. However, fewer than one in five use therapies that have been proven to help people quit.  

‘We are excited to collaborate with Quit Victoria, experts in smoking cessation, to help people across Victoria fight the deadly habit,’ said PSA Victorian Branch President Ben Marchant.

‘A lot of patients don’t understand that some prescription medicines and some common health issues, such as diabetes and wound healing, are adversely affected by tobacco use. This focus on the pharmacist’s role in quitting will help patients understand why it is so critical that pharmacists ask about smoking, and demonstrate how pharmacists can do so much more than simply hand over patches or gum,’ Ben Marchant said.

Based on the latest in evidence-based smoking cessation care, the training will equip pharmacists to provide a three-stage brief intervention (Ask, Advise, Help) for smoking cessation, to advise on pharmacotherapy use and to refer to, and work with, Quitline for intensive behavioural support.

‘This training will provide pharmacists with the most up-to-date methods of brief intervention to offer holistic support to their customers throughout their quit journey,’ said Ben Marchant.

The training allows participants Group 2 CPD credits for taking part, with the opportunity to receive Group 3 CPD credits for implementing practice change. They will also receive a suite of resources designed by Quit and PSA to help their patients through the quitting process.

More information and registration for the courses is available through Eventbrite: https://quit.org.au/pharmacist-training

Training dates and locations:
17 June Beau Monde International, 934 Doncaster Road, Doncaster
24 June Functions by the Bay, Cnr Plowman Place & Young Street, Frankston
22 July The Plaza Tavern, Werribee, Cnr Heaths & Derrimut Rds, Hoppers Crossing
5 Aug Parklake Hotel, 481 Wyndham Street, Shepparton
12 Aug Silverwater Resort, 17 Potters Hill Road, San Remo
26 Aug  All Seasons Bendigo, 171-183 McIvor Road, Bendigo
9 Sept  Mercure Hotel, 613 Main Street, Ballarat
16 Sept Novotel Hotel, 10-14 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong