Working in partnership

Where community pharmacists are authorised to make a NHS supply of antibiotics, there is the opportunity to reduce their unnecessary use and reinforce good antimicrobial stewardship. 

Pharmacists managing sinusitis as part of Pharmacy First may wish to talk their strategy through with local GP practices. How local practices manage patients with sinusitis and what interventions they advise for symptomatic relief are important issues. Agreeing a common approach ensures that patients are not confused by variations in practice and will enhance consistency and continuity of care.

Remote consultations

Remote consultations for sinusitis are permitted in the Pharmacy First service in England, but there is a view that where an antibiotic might be prescribed, a remote consultation should only be conducted in exceptional circumstances.