A pharmacy-led sore throat test and treat (STTT) service: antigen testing and antibiotic supply rates during the period of heightened public awareness of Group A Streptococcus infections.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Community pharmacies in Wales delivered an NHS-funded sore throat test and treat (STTT) service during the period of increased invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) incidents in winter 2022-23. Service users were screened using FeverPAIN/CENTOR scores, offered GAS rapid antigen detection tests (RADT) if appropriate, and antibiotics if indicated.

Objectives

To evaluate the service's response to a substantial rise in sore throat presentations during a period of heightened public anxiety.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with anonymized individual-level data from electronic pharmacy records of all eligible STTT service users, between January 2022 and March 2023.

Results

Antibiotics were supplied to 24% (95% CI: 23-24) of people who used the STTT service an

SUBMITTER: Mantzourani E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10832601 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature