Signposting patients who smoke or vape to local pharmacy support
You’re already asking your patients about smoking. Quix for Practice makes it easier to help them take the next step. Simply signpost them to a local community pharmacy, where a pharmacist and their trained team can support them to quit. There’s no form to fill in, no records to transfer, and no cost to your practice — just a simple way to connect your patients with the support they need.
Who this is for
Patients you can signpost this to
If a patient meets one of these, signposting is appropriate.
Adults aged 18 or over who currently smoke or vape
The only clinical threshold.
Patients who have declined or disengaged from the local authority service
A second option to offer when the first one has already been refused.
Patients in areas with limited local authority provision
Where commissioned provision is thin.
Patients who have tried licensed NRT without success
Previous attempts do not exclude anyone from walking into a pharmacy.
How signposting works
Three simple steps.
No extra cost to your Primary Care Network.
Your practice simply mentions it
During the appointment, a professional within the team can mention and signpost to a nearby pharmacy that they would have been made aware of through the Quix Labs team, that can offer support through a structured nicotine reduction alternative. Quix Labs has cards that it can send out to practices which health professionals can pass onto patients.
The patient finds their nearest pharmacy
The card carries a QR code. The patient enters their postcode and sees participating pharmacies nearby, so they can choose what works best for them.
The patient goes in on their own
The patient visits their chosen pharmacy and speaks directly with the pharmacist and trained team. Your practice doesn't need to make a referral, complete a form or transfer any records.
Signposting, not referral.
No patient record moves between your practice and the pharmacy. There is no form, no system integration, no onward task, and no clinical liability for your practice. The patient chooses whether to go.
Participating pharmacies
The patient will speak to a pharmacist and their team.
Every participating pharmacy is led by a pharmacist, with a trained pharmacy team supporting the conversation on the high street.
The pharmacist discusses the full range of options available, including licensed nicotine replacement therapy and the local authority stop smoking service where one operates.
Find your nearest
Check coverage around your practice
Enter a practice or patient postcode to see which participating pharmacies are within walking distance.
Here at Quix Labs, we have a dedicated Pharmacy Partnership Manager who can reach out and talk to your local pharmacy and walk them through the clinic model, pricing and how Quix Connect brings local clinicians to your pharmacy.
Resources
Useful Resources
Sourced from NHS England, NICE and NCSCT where applicable. No email required, no Quix framing inside the documents.
For your team
- QOF smoking indicators
A plain reference sheet.
- Very Brief Advice: Ask, Advise, Act
The behavioural support structure, one page.
- What local authority stop smoking provision looks like in 2026
Provision summary.
For your patients
- Quix Connect: pharmacy finder and booker ↗
Patients find a participating pharmacy and book an appointment themselves.
- Quitters Club ↗
Psychoeducational resource: structured support, accountability and community.
See us in person
Best Practice Show & Respiratory Health Show
7–8 October 2026 · NEC Birmingham
View show details →
Next step
Two ways to take this further
Book a call
Fifteen minutes with Sara Eckersley, Clinical Outreach Lead
Fifteen minutes covering how signposting works in practice, what your team would say and which pharmacies near you take part.
Prefer email? clinicians@quixlabs.com
Request more info