Effectiveness of Pharmaceutical Counseling in Sore Throat Management According to Patients and Pharmacists

Abstract

Background: Primary care overload, limited access to physicians, and rising antimicrobial resistance highlight the role of pharmacists in managing minor ailments such as sore throats. We evaluated pharmacy-based counseling in Poland supported by point-of-care testing and symptomatic therapy. Methods: Multicenter, prospective observational study across 23 community pharmacies. Adults (≥18 years) with sore throat underwent group A streptococcus (GAS) rapid antigen testing. Patients with a positive test result were referred to physicians, while others received pharmacist counseling and ketoprofen throat spray. Standardized questionnaires captured symptom severity, perceived effectiveness, onset/duration, convenience, adherence, and patient-reported outcomes. Results: 142 patients were included. Among ketoprofen users, 98.4% reported improvement, and 75% rated relief ≥8/10. Compared with prior remedies, 88.3% judged ketoprofen more effective, and 86.7% reported faster onset. The spray was convenient for 91.4% of participants; no overdosing occurred. Qualitative feedback emphasized rapid relief, easier swallowing/speaking, and return to daily activities without physician consultation. Conclusions: Polish community pharmacy practice, an integrated sore throat pathway combining point-of-care RADT with structured pharmacist counseling and symptomatic treatment, was feasible, acceptable, and without notable safety concerns. As a pilot, these practice-based findings warrant larger comparative and economic studies to confirm clinical effects and assess potential impact on antibiotic use.