title: Management of the early symptoms of influenza-like illnesses and ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders by pharmacists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pharmacists play a key role in primary healthcare, but the characteristics of patients who consult a pharmacist directly rather than going to their general practitioner (GP) are unknown. Our aim was to describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who seek direct therapeutic advice from a pharmacist for influenza-like illness (ILI) or ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders, the types of medicines dispensed and patient satisfaction with the advice received.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective, observational study was carried out on a random sample of French pharmacies between November 2010 and March 2011. Patients (≥12-years) with early symptoms of ILI or ENT disorders (<36 h duration) who received treatment were included. Socio-demographic data, symptom severity and disease impact on daily activities and sleep were recorded at inclusion. Symptom evolution and patient satisfaction were assessed after 3 days of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  573 patients (mean age: 42.5 ± 16.2 years; 61.9% female) were recruited by 133 pharmacies. Two-thirds of patients (63.2%) visited the pharmacy early (<24 h) after symptom onset. The most common symptoms were runny nose (56.4%), sore throat (54.6%) and cough (49.0%). Patients were given 2.6 ± 1.2 medications; 98.4% of patients received allopathic (usually paracetamol, 33.5%) and 25.3% homeopathic (Oscillococcinum, 56.6%) treatment, usually combined with allopathy. Compliance was good and 77.2% of patients continued treatment for 3 days. Most symptoms improved significantly after 3 days and quality of life was enhanced. 85.9% of patients were satisfied with the advice received.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Seeking a pharmacist's advice for the management of ILI and ENT disorders has several public health benefits. The clinical improvement and high patient satisfaction observed validate the role of the pharmacist as a health professional of first resort.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoires Boiron, Sainte Foy-lès-Lyon, France. Electronic address: karine.danno@boiron.fr.
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Danno
authors.affiliation: Pharmacie, Lagnieu, France.
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cognet-Dementhon
authors.affiliation: Pharmacie, Quincieux, France.
authors.forename: Geneviève
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thevenard
authors.affiliation: Cyklad Group, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Duru
authors.affiliation: Ceren Esc, Dijon, and Département d'Information Médicale, CHU Dijon, France.
authors.forename: François-André
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Allaert
authors.affiliation: Laboratoires Boiron, Sainte Foy-lès-Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Marie-France
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Bordet
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D003139:Common Cold / Q000188:drug therapy; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy; D019468:Disease Management; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010595:Pharmacists; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D000082:Acetaminophen
keywords: Disease management; Homeopathy; Human; Influenza; Multicentre study; Patient satisfaction; Pharmacist