Update on Availability of Varenicline

Published: 27/11/24

Our colleagues at the Scottish Government have asked us to share the following information with you.

Following on from the withdrawal of varenicline (Champix) tablets from the UK in 2021, a generic version of varenicline has been launched by Teva and is now available for supply through wholesalers. This includes initiation packs, 0.5mg and 1mg packs.

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GP practices and specialist clinics providing smoking cessation services may now prescribe varenicline where clinically appropriate. 

As it is a prescription-only medicine (POM), an updated Patient Group Direction (PGD) is in development for use in all Health Boards in NHS Scotland which will enable community pharmacists to supply it through the national Community Pharmacy Stop Smoking Service and updated training is being prepared. The pharmacy PGD is currently going through the necessary governance processes and is expected to be in place in early 2025.

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