Abstract: | □ Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network guidance on the management of sore throat recommends analgesia and refer to the role of the community pharmacist in advising symptomatic relief □ Advice given to 749 patients from 65 community pharmacies; 49 patients (6.5 per cent) were referred to their general practitioner □ Paracetamol, drug of choice from SIGN guideline, was recommended to 219 patients (29 per cent); a preparation for symptomatic relief either alone or in combination with an analgesic was advised for 590 patients (79 per cent) and of these, 315 patients (42 per cent) were recommended lozenges with anaesthetic and antibacterial action □ Compliance with SIGN guidelines was observed regarding choice of analgesic □ Evidence is required for choice of symptomatic relief. |