Sore throat treatment on the NHS Pharmacy First service

What is a sore throat?

A sore throat is pain, irritation or scratchiness in the throat that often feels worse when you swallow. Most sore throats are caused by viruses, such as colds, and settle on their own within about 7 to 10 days. Some are caused by a bacterial infection and may benefit from treatment.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain or discomfort in the throat, especially when swallowing
• A dry, scratchy or raw feeling at the back of the throat
• Swollen, red tonsils - sometimes with white patches
• Swollen glands in the neck
• A hoarse or muffled voice
• A mild fever, headache or feeling generally unwell

Who the sore throat service is for

Our pharmacist can assess you under NHS Pharmacy First if:

• You are aged 5 or over
• You have a recent, acute sore throat
• You have not needed repeated antibiotic courses for sore throat

As part of the assessment, the pharmacist uses recognised clinical scoring (such as FeverPAIN or Centor) to decide whether treatment is likely to help.

When to seek urgent help instead

Seek urgent help straight away if you or your child:

• Have difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Are drooling, or cannot fully open the mouth
• Have a very high fever with a stiff neck

Call 999, go to A and E, or call NHS 111 immediately. In a medical emergency, always call 999.

How the service works

You do not need a GP referral - just contact us:

• Visit us at 245 High Street, Stratford, London E15 2LS, or call 020 4599 5647
• A GPhC-registered pharmacist will assess your symptoms and check your eligibility
• Where it is clinically appropriate, we supply treatment under NHS arrangements; otherwise we give clear self-care advice
• If the service is not suitable for you, we will refer you to your GP, NHS 111 or urgent care

We aim to review consultations on the same day during opening hours.

Other NHS Pharmacy First conditions

We can also assess and, where appropriate, treat these common conditions under NHS Pharmacy First: