Pharmacy First - Sore Throat

The Pharmacy First service in England is an important development for community pharmacy and their customers, but should support and enhance rather than replace the need for OTC advice and products.

Use the flow chart below to understand who could be referred into the service and when.¹

Red flag symptoms^2,3

• Stridor - noisy or high-pitched sounds when breathing
• Complications including dehydration and signs of abscess
• Suspected epiglottitis⁴
  • Difficulty and pain when swallowing
  • A muffled or hoarse voice
  • Drooling and distress (e.g. irritability and restlessness)
• Signs of sepsis in adults⁵
  • Slurred speech or confusion
  • Extreme shivering or muscle pain
  • Passing no urine­ (in a day)
  • Severe breathlessness
  • It feels like they are going to die
  • Skin mottled or discoloured