Learning scenario
Learning scenario
Matching product to need
Elliot comes into the pharmacy and asks to speak to the pharmacist, but the support team ask if there is anything they can help with first. Elliot explains that it is a busy time of year at work, balancing meetings, presentations and events over a short time period. For the last few days he has had a really sore throat that has made it too painful to eat. He takes no other medication, but in the past has used Difflam™ Throat Spray. He wants something that works just as well but is more discrete, so he can use it between meetings at work.
What would you recommend?
Refer him to the GP – incorrect.
Elliot is not showing any sign of concerns to refer to the GP. Sore throats are often self-limiting and should improve within one week. You can offer appropriate self-care advice and Difflam™ to provide pain relief
Recommend Difflam™ Throat Spray – incorrect.
There is a more suitable answer. Although Difflam™ Throat Spray is portable and will offer effective pain relief, Difflam™ Lozenges are a better option as they are equally as effective as the spray and he will be able to use them more discretely at work.
Explain that it will improve on its own – incorrect.
Even though sore throats are often self-limiting and should improve within one week, you can still offer self-care advice to help relieve symptoms and pain relief using Difflam™ products.
Recommend Difflam™ Lozenges – correct.
Difflam™ Lozenges are as effective as Difflam™ Throat Spray to provide relief, but are more convenient to use around Elliot’s lifestyle at work.
Counselling on sore throats and antibiotics
A woman comes in to the pharmacy and explains that her partner, 3 children and herself have been suffering with a sore throat over the last 4 days. You check how old her children are, and they are aged 5, 8 and 13. They all seem to be improving, however she would like something to help manage the pain, that is suitable for the whole family. Using your WWHAM questioning, you confirm that they are not taking any other medicines, and she is not pregnant.
What would you advise for this family?
Recommend Difflam™ Throat Spray – correct.
Explain that their sore throats are likely to improve within a week. Difflam™ Throat Spray is suitable for the whole family and will provide quick relief. Advise on the recommended dosage for each member of the family as it will be different for each child’s age.
Refer to the GP – incorrect.
You can explain that sore throats typically improve within a week. Offer self-care advice such as maintaining an adequate fluid intake, and recommend Difflam™ Throat Spray for pain relief.
Recommend paracetamol for pain relief – incorrect.
Although this is suitable self-care advice, Difflam™ Throat Spray is a better option as it targets the site of pain directly and works with a triple action mechanism to provide relief. Difflam™ Throat Spray is also suitable for the whole family
Explain that the family needs antibiotics – incorrect
Sore throats are not recommended to be treated with antibiotics first-line. This is a good opportunity to educate the customer about antibiotic resistance, and why they shouldn’t be used on this occasion. Offer self-care advice and Difflam™ Throat Spray to provide quick pain relief for family.
Now you have completed this module, continue to the assessment to test your knowledge and record your learning.
References
1. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng84/chapter/Recommendations#managing-acute-sore-throat
2. Sore Throat - NHS Choices. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat/
3. Glandular Fever - NHS Choices. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/glandular-fever/
Online references last accessed August 2024
Difflam 3mg Lozenges – Lemon Flavour (benzydamine hydrochloride)
Legal category: (P) Cost: £4.24 excluding VAT
Click here for SPC
Difflam 3mg Lozenges – Orange-Honey Flavour (benzydamine hydrochloride)
Legal category: (P) Cost: £4.24 excluding VAT
Click here for SPC
Difflam™ 0.15 % w/v Spray (benzydamine hydrochloride)
Legal category: (P) Cost: £4.24 excluding VAT
Click here for SPC
Difflam™ Sore Throat Rinse (benzydamine hydrochloride)
Legal category: (P) Cost: £4.24 excluding VAT
Click here for SPC
UK-DIFF-2024-00039 Date of preparation: August 2024