Empowering Pharmacists to Lead in Sore Throat Management and AMR

Acute sore throat is one of the most common reasons patients seek advice in community pharmacy. At the same time, upper respiratory tract infections remain a major source of inappropriate antibiotic use, yet most sore throat cases are viral in origin and don’t require antibiotic treatment.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat and inappropriate antibiotic use remains a significant challenge. However, as frontline healthcare professionals, community pharmacists are among the most accessible points of healthcare contact and play a vital role in antimicrobial supply, patient education and public health.

As the role of pharmacists continues to evolve, with independent prescribing becoming the standard for newly qualified pharmacists, the ability to confidently assess, triage and manage common conditions in community and primary care settings is increasingly essential. This session will equip pharmacists with the knowledge, practical skills and confidence required to make safe, evidence-based clinical decisions and deliver high-quality patient-centred care.

This session will provide:

An overview of the principles, importance of antimicrobial stewardship and the expanding role of pharmacists in addressing AMR

An evidence-based overview of acute sore throat assessment and management, including current guidelines and the importance of effective patient communication

Practical strategies equipping pharmacists to differentiate patients who require referral from those who can be managed with symptomatic treatment (such as flurbiprofen and other anti-inflammatories)

Insights from the Welsh Sore Throat Test and Treat community pharmacy minor ailments service in the form of a case study

Attendees will gain practical knowledge and confidence to assess and manage acute sore throat in community pharmacy, communicate effectively with patients about antibiotic use, and deliver evidence-based care that supports antimicrobial stewardship and the expanding clinical role of pharmacists.