LloydsPharmacy has launched a new nationwide sore throat service to identify Strep A throat infections, designed to reduce the burden on GPs whilst supporting the growing issue of antibiotic resistance. 

The walk-in service takes just a few minutes and involves a simple questionnaire, examination by a pharmacist and mouth swab to test for the bacterial throat infection. Antibiotics will be provided to those patients who positively test for Strep A and meet the inclusion criteria as outlined in the patient group direction (PGD). For those patients who do not require antibiotics, the relevant over-the-counter product and/or advice will be supplied to provide relief from symptoms.

Launched in 600 LloydsPharmacy stores, the £4.99 test offers 98 per cent accuracy.

Commenting on the service, Steve Howard, quality and clinical standards director and superintendent pharmacist at McKesson UK, said: “Of course, we’re not going to solve antibiotic resistance overnight. But this is a step in the right direction.”