A new resource from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) to aid community pharmacists in supporting people to manage sore throat has been published. Intended as a “quick reference guide for pharmacists”, it covers causes, triage, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, and provides links to further resources.
“Sore throat is a common condition that is usually self-limiting. Pharmacists can support its management through a range of products and services, thereby avoiding unnecessary visits to general practitioners,” said Rúben Viegas, FIP Practice Development and Transformation Projects Co-ordinator, and author of the guide.
Sore throat is one of the most common upper respiratory tract infections for which antibiotics are used inappropriately. In particular, the new FIP resource covers point-of-care tests for streptococcus, which are increasingly being used by pharmacists in some countries. “Research has shown that such point-of-care testing has been successful in reducing the prescribing of antibiotics, and thus could be a useful aid for pharmacists in performing an antimicrobial stewardship role,” Mr Viegas added.
This guide is intended as an add-on to FIP’s 2021 publication Empowering Selfcare: A Handbook for Pharmacists. “Selfcare is a fundamental pillar of universal health coverage due to the important role it plays in the sustainability of health systems. This quick reference guide highlights sore throat as a condition for which pharmacists are ideally placed to support informed self-care, delivering substantial impact, and empowering patients to make better health choices and lead healthier lives,” Mr Viegas explained.
This new FIP resource also includes six short videos on sore throat management in the community.
