A pharmacy-led sore throat treatment service in Wales has been found to result in fewer same-day antibiotic prescriptions than those given during GP consultations, according to a new study.

The study, published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, found that pharmacy-led sore throat treatment provides a safe, effective, and cost-efficient alternative to GP consultations.

The research, carried out using data from the sore throat test and treat (STTT) service, highlights the potential for community pharmacies to alleviate pressure on general practice while maintaining high standards of care.

The STTT service was launched in 2018 to enable community pharmacists to assess sore throat cases and supply antibiotics when necessary, following national guidelines, in an effort to reduce the need for GP consultations.

The study, part funded by Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) and Welsh Value in Health centre, analysed 72,736 sore throat consultations between 2018 and 2020.

The findings revealed that STTT consultations resulted in fewer same-day antibiotic prescriptions (by pharmacist or subsequently by GP) than GP sore throat consultations (24% versus 39%).

The 28-day re-consultation rate for sore throat patients was 7.4% for those who consulted with a GP, and 21% for those who attended STTT.

However, 28-day antibiotic prescribing rates were 12% lower for those who initially consulted STTT (28% versus 40%).

Even in the worst-case scenario in the study’s modelling, availability of the STTT service was found to save at least 69 GP consultations for every 100 patients with sore throat symptoms.

Treating sore throats through STTT was found to be less costly than GP consultations, and the service was particularly effective in increasing access to care for patients in high-deprivation areas, where antibiotic use tends to be higher.

In addition, with no need for appointments and extended pharmacy opening hours, STTT provided greater convenience for patients.

The study concluded that for every 100 patients presenting with sore throat at an STTT pharmacy, 15 to 18 antibiotics are saved. Accounting for all possible re-consultations within 28 days, this reduces to 12 antibiotic prescriptions saved.

The publishing of the study’s findings follow the announcement of a winter preparedness plan in Northern Ireland that will see the provision of a Pharmacy First sore throat service available from 1 December.

Accessible to everyone aged five and over, the service will offer advice, clinical assessment and treatment for sore throats, without having to wait for a GP appointment.

The service was available from 43 pharmacies on a pilot basis last winter, and was found to be effective in helping to free up GP time and relieve pressures on other urgent care services.

In England, the Pharmacy First scheme launched this year includes a pathway that funds pharmacists to provide advice and treatment for sore throat in those aged over five.