Cost-minimization in sore throat prescriptions
Engaging pharmacies in prescription practices for sore throat brings cost savings and can potentially decrease prescription numbers.
Sore throat is one of the most common reasons for physician visits even though most cases of sore throat are caused by viruses and don’t therefore require physician care. A Canadian multicenter study reports cost savings if Strep throat point-of-care testing and prescriptions would be handled by pharmacists rather than physicians. Similar scenario is piloted in the United Kingdom, where the aim is to cut down the amount of drugs given out by allowing pharmacists to prescribe antibiotics for people with sore throats. Pharmacists are accessible healthcare professionals, ideally positioned to assess sore throat patients and identify those with Strep throat using point-of-care testing technologies. Pharmacist-based care for sore throat could potentially result in more appropriate antibiotic use and improved outcomes for patients in addition to significant healthcare cost savings.