NRT Voucher Scheme: Information for Stop Smoking Advisors

Nottinghamshire County NRT Voucher Scheme

The length of the free/subsidised NRT Voucher Scheme will be changed to 6 weeks’ worth

How will this work in practice?

  • In line with current practice, all clients will complete a Health Questionnaire (Ref NRT 401).Please note this will remain the same. In the ‘GP section’ it does refer to 12 weeks worth of NRT, so please ignore this section as the entitlement is 6 weeks. This will act as visit 1 (2 weeks’ worth of NRT).
  • A client returning to the service and wishing to use further NRT (6 weeks maximum supply) will be issued with subsequent blue vouchers (One voucher = 2 weeks supply of NRT, blue vouchers 1 & 2).
  • As with the current Voucher Scheme, should a client wish to use a product for longer than their entitlement (6 weeks), the client should be encouraged to purchase the NRT over-the-counter.

Clients are able to re-access the Voucher Scheme after a failed quit attempt (not quit 4 weeks post quit date). In this instance a discussion should take place with the client and advisor and if they are assessed as motivated they can sign up again with the service and set a new quit date and access the voucher scheme again.

The number of products available on the Voucher Scheme will remain as four specified products. These are:

Product / Strength / Maximum supply for 2 weeks / Flavour / Typical 2 week supply for maximal use
NiQutin CQ clear/beige 24 hour patch / 21mg, 14mg, 7mg / 14 / N/A / Supply 2x7 patches
Nicorette Invisi 16 hour patch / 25mg, 15mg, 10mg / 14 / N/A / Supply 2x7 patches
Nicorette cools lozenges / 4mg,
2mg / 15 max per day / 4mg -20 cigarettes or more a day
supply 240=3 x 80
2mg–Less than 20 cigarettes a day
Supply 220 (2 x80, 3 x20)
Nicorette Inhalator / 15mg / Maximum 6 cartridges per day
((6x7)x2)) = 84 cartridges / N/A / Supply 92 cartridges
(1 x 20 cartridges with 1 inhalator mouthpiece) + (2 x 36 cartridges with 1 inhalator mouthpiece )

How will this work in practice?

  • Once the patient has decided to use NRT to support their quit attempt, the advisor should then discuss the 4 products available through the NRT Voucher Scheme.
  • A joint decision will then be made as to the most appropriate product based on the client’s level of addiction, medical and past quitting history and the needs of the client.
  • The chosen product will then be noted on the back of the HQ/voucher and 2 weeks’ supply of the product will be issued by the nominated pharmacy.
  • Following receipt of the first 2 weeks’ supply of NRT, a client can choose to switch to a different product on the Voucher Scheme; however the client would still only be eligible for a further 4 weeks’ supply.
  • Should a client wish to use a product not available on the Voucher Scheme or wishes to use dual therapy, the client should be encouraged to purchase the NRT over-the-counter.

Included with this information sheet is a new NRT voucher scheme information sheet which replaces the blue leaflets on the NRT voucher scheme. Please throw away any old leaflets that you may have.

There are no changes to any of the paperwork for advisors. Pharmacies should continue to claim for the NRT Voucher Scheme reimbursement via Pharmoutcomes