Montana Quit Line--Help the Montana Pharmacy Association Persuade the MT Quit Line to Allow Prescriptions to be Filled at Local Pharmacies

At the request of MPA members, representatives of the MPA board and staff have attempted to persuade administrators of the Montana Quit Line to allow patients the option to fill Chantix prescriptions at their local pharmacy instead of requiring the use of a mail order pharmacy. We have voiced our request through letters, phones calls, e-mails and requested a sit-down meeting with key administrators of Montana Quit Line. In each case they rebuked our requests for a change and as a result we are pursuing a new course of action.

Action Suggested:
Since the MT Quit Line will not listen to pharmacists, perhaps they will listen to your patients. Have interested patients send a letter to the Director of the DPHHS that oversees the Montana Quit Line PLUS send a copy of the letter to your local legislator.Attached is a sample letter and testimonial from one patient.

Send letters to:
Anna Whiting Sorrell, Director, DPHHS, Attn: MT Quit Line, 111 North Sanders, Room 301, Helena, MT 59620

Legislators - Click here for map showing legislators and their addresses: http://nris.mt.gov/gis/legislat/2009/
Click here for a sample letter to your legislator

Key reasons MPA Supports Changes for the Montana Quit Line:
The current mail order system sends the message that money is far more important than helping patients quit smoking.
Chantix is a medication with potential side effects and drug interactions that merit prescription counseling and an accurate medication list.

Patients who want to utilize Chantix to quit using tobacco products would benefit from face-to-face smoking cessation counseling and reinforcement that their local pharmacist can provide.
Have your patients take action today by contacting the Montana Quit Line and letting their local legislators know that we need a change in policy to allow local pharmacies to fill Chantix prescriptions!