Martin Duerden

Community pharmacies are often the first source for information and advice when health problems arise. Increasingly patients are being referred to pharmacists by other health care professionals through Pharmacy First and similar schemes. This book presents a decision-making framework along with ‘red flags’, ‘when to refer’ and evidence-based treatment recommendations. A unique feature is that case studies appear throughout, in which pharmacists, doctors, nurses, and patients describe assessment and treatment of a wide range of common problems. Highlights of this substantially updated tenth edition are: The addition of seven major sections covering the initial Pharmacy First scheme in England: acute otitis media (AOM); impetigo; infected insect bites; shingles; acute sinusitis; sore throat; and uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women. A changed book title to reflect the increasing remit of community pharmacy in disease prevention, with extended content on topics such as blood pressure measurement and shingles vaccination.‘The consultation’ expanded in a new chapter, including decisions about supplying antibiotics with a suggested framework to reflect antimicrobial stewardship. Pharmacy continuation of contraceptive pills and the Pharmacy Contraception service. Revisited and updated information on COVID-19 and long COVID in the light of the transition of COVID-19 to an endemic state. Practicing and Foundation trainee pharmacists, as well as undergraduate pharmacy students and many other healthcare professionals, will find Symptoms in the Pharmacy: A Guide to the Management of Common Illnesses and Disease Prevention invaluable.

A Thorough Guidebook for Assessing and Managing Common Symptoms and Illnesses Seen in the Pharmacy Pharmacies, and pharmacists, are often the first source for information and advice used by a patient when health problems arise. This book supports pharmacists to recognize symptoms, advise with confidence, and recommend appropriate treatment or referral, while also providing a comprehensive digest of common conditions ideal for both practical use and reference. Informed by the experiences and expertise of seasoned pharmacists and GPs, each chapter in the book provides pharmacists and their staff working in the community with a decision-making framework along with suggestions on “when to refer” contained within summary boxes. A unique feature of the book is that case studies are provided throughout, in which pharmacists, doctors, nurses and patients themselves describe assessment and treatment of a wide range of common problems. This 9th edition of the book also includes: Consideration of conducting pharmacy consultations remotely as well as in person in the pharmacyNew content on COVID-19 and Long-COVID in pharmacy practiceInformation about medicines recently reclassified for OTC supplyExpanded content on women’s health including information on desogestrel, menopause and incontinenceBroadening of the insomnia chapter to include consideration of mental health problems Increased content on non-drug treatment options and their supporting evidenceA summary of evidence sources at the end of each chapterDecision-making support for unique cases which involve ethical dilemmasPracticing and Foundation trainee pharmacists, as well as undergraduate pharmacy students and other healthcare professionals, will find Symptoms in the Pharmacy: A Guide to the Management of Common Illnesses invaluable when dealing with both common and obscure symptoms and illnesses.