The effect and cost of smoking cessation services provided by community pharmacists in Thailand: A descriptive study approach

Abstract

Introduction: The effect and cost of smoking cessation provided by pharmacists was varied and important for policy decision making. Aims: The aim of the study was to estimate the effect and cost of smoking cessation provided by community pharmacists in Thailand. Method: A descriptive study was carried out. Participants were followed up for 6 months. The service was provided by community pharmacists with face-to-face counseling or telephone counseling. Primary outcomes were continuous abstinence rate (CAR) at week 24 and direct medical cost under a provider perspective. Results: A total of 90 participants were included with 96.7% male with an average age of 45.99±15.65 years old. CAR at week 12 was 33.3%, while CAR at week 24 was 20.0%. The average number of cigarette consuming was statistically decreased from ten cigarettes/day to one cigarette/day (p<0.001). The total cost of smoking cessation service was 45,573 Thai baht (THB) consisting of labor cost (12,533 THB), material cost (21,223 THB), and capital cost (11,817 THB). The average cost/participant was 506 THB and the average cost/successful quit was 2531 THB at week 24. Conclusion: Smoking cessation service program provided by community pharmacists is effective with relatively low cost/success rate at 24 weeks after the initiation of smoking cessation.