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Evaluation of the implementation of point of care tests (POCT) in community pharmacies for group A streptococcal pharyngitis and uncomplicated acute cystitis
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DOI：10.1080/20523211.2026.2691444.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
Community pharmacists in France have recently been authorised to dispense antibiotics without a medical prescription for group A streptococcal pharyngitis and uncomplicated acute cystitis, provided that the result of a point-of-care test (POCT) is positive. In this study we aimed to analyse the implementation and adoption of these tests in community pharmacies and their potential impact.
We elaborated a questionnaire for the pharmacists and one for the patients. The former was distributed through a professional email database and shared on social media. The later was disseminated through social media, directly in pharmacies via a QR code displayed on the counters of participating pharmacies. Qualitative data were analysed thematically.
A total of 64 pharmacists and 31 patients responded to the questionnaires. Among the patients, 35.5% (n = 11/31) had previously consulted a pharmacist for pharyngitis and/or cystitis before consulting another healthcare professional, and of those, 45.5% (n = 5/11) had undergone a POCT. Conversely, 61.3% (n = 19/31) were unaware of these services. Among pharmacists, 93.8% (n = 60/64) performed at least one of the two POCTs. Throat POCTs were most often initiated by pharmacists (37.5%) and physicians (34.8%), whereas cystitis POCT were mainly initiated by the patients themselves (54.8%). According to pharmacists, the main barrier to implementing POCTs in community pharmacies was lack of time (69.1%; n = 38/55). For 84.7% (n = 50/59) of pharmacists, POCTs are well integrated into the daily workflow, and the implementation of POCT even helped enhance the value of their professional role. Most patients were in favour of expanding the range of pharmacy-based tests.
The positive adhesion of both pharmacists and patients reinforces the value of these services in promoting appropriate care. Low public awareness remains a barrier, underlying the need for targeted communication strategies.
Keywords:
Point of care tests
primary care
pharyngitis
uncomplicated cystitis
antimicrobial stewardship programme
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