Potential Changes to NRT Point-of-Sale Rules Could Impact Community Pharmacy

Currently, non-prescription Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) are treated as Natural Health Products and available in the pharmacy aisle where purchasers have access to a pharmacist if they choose. Health Canada is considering some point-of-sale policy changes to non-prescription NRT products to deter use in youth; specifically the possibly of requiring age verification in all retail settings, limiting sale to pharmacies, or moving NRTs behind the pharmacy counter.
 
Neighbourhood Pharmacies supports Health Canada’s public health goal of protecting youth, and further believe that no individual under the age of 18 should be using NRTs for any purpose without the oversight of a healthcare provider. However, we have provided Health Canada with some specific pharmacy concerns relating to the proposed point-of-sale changes for consideration.