ROCKPORT — MaineHealth Pharmacy Retail Pen Bay Hospital has been awarded grant funding from the Maine Cancer Foundation to increase community access to tobacco cessation medications and support. The grant provides an opportunity to reduce barriers to accessing tobacco cessation support while leveraging the unique accessibility of pharmacists as trusted, frontline providers.
Patients and community members 18 years and older can request a two-week supply of
nicotine replacement therapy (gum and patches), with no prescription required and at no cost, at three local pharmacies, including:- MaineHealth Pharmacy Retail Pen Bay Hospital at 6 Glen Cove Drive in Rockport
- Jensen’s Pharmacy at 91 Camden Street in Rockland
- Belfast Drug Company at 15 Starrett Drive, Unit G, in Belfast
Participants will also receive a free consultation with a pharmacist to discuss benefits of quitting, learn how to use nicotine patches and gum, and review additional resources. Pharmacists can also refer patients directly to Maine QuitLink, a free resource that provides additional counseling and medications at no cost to patients.
The grant leverages the accessibility of pharmacies to complement and extend the work of the Maine Center for Tobacco Independence. Making tobacco cessation resources available at local pharmacies creates additional access points and helps reduce barriers to care, particularly for individuals who do not have a primary care provider or who may be reluctant to engage in formal health care settings.
“Quitting is hard, and we want people to know that pharmacies are here to help,” said Hillary Mishcon, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist at MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer these resources at no cost to our community members and help provide support to people who are ready to quit using tobacco products.”
For more information, contact MaineHealth Pharmacy Retail Pen Bay Hospital at 207-301-8585.
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