The TARGET Antibiotics Toolkit includes a patient information leaflet that can be used during consultations and given to patients to reinforce key messages. The leaflet outlines the usual duration of common viral infections, self care advice and when to seek help. Information on why antibiotics should only be taken when they are really needed is also provided. The leaflet is free via the Royal College of General Practitioners website. 

NICE antimicrobial prescribing guidelines: Since 2016, NICE has been publishing national evidence-based antimicrobial prescribing information for all care settings. These focus on bacterial infections and appropriate antibiotic use. Each guideline topic features a visual summary of the recommendations, a guideline and an evidence review. Pharmacy teams may wish to print the visual summaries and have them available to refer to within pharmacy.

Royal Pharmaceutical Society has published Antimicrobial Stewardship Quick Reference Guide: When advising on self-limiting conditions. It may be helpful to think about the six Rs outlined in the guide, which is available in full to RPS members: 

• Reassurance: reassure the patient about the infection
• Reasons: explain why antimicrobials are not normally necessary
• Relief options: suggest suitable over-the-counter preparations for symptom relief, such as paracetamol for pain
• Realistic times: give a realistic time when the patient can expect to start feeling better
• Reinforcement: provide written information to support the advice given, such as PHE’s Treating Your Infection – Respiratory Tract Infection (RTI) guide
• Rescue information: when to seek further help or advice.