The Johns Photo Pharmacy team is one of 34 pharmacies joining the fight to stop sore throats hurting hearts.
Sore throats matter – pharmacies
join fight to stop damage to hearts
Thirty- four pharmacies across the Bay of
Plenty are now providing a free rapid response
sore throat swabbing service as part of a
BOPDHB plan to reduce the incidence of
Rheumatic Fever by two thirds in our area. necessary sore throat swabbing and antibiotic treatment for
eligible patients aged 4 to 19 years. Symptomatic family contacts
aged 3 to 35 years can also be tested and treated. Pharmacists
will identify eligible patients from within store and accept referral
of children from other health care providers, schools or community
workers. If patients are not eligible under our service, we will refer
patients to their GP for treatment.
The new service is in addition to the free school based throat
swabbing service provided at many schools across the region. RF
can develop if a sore throat caused by a bacteria called Group A
Streptococcus ‘strep throat’ is not treated with antibiotics. For more information contact Ben or Cathy at the Bay of Plenty
Community Pharmacy Group email [email protected] or cathy@
bopcpg.co.nz.
The Bay of Plenty Community Pharmacy Group (BOPCPG) says
specially trained pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are
working under a standing order to provide free, no appointment
Or read the full list of throat swabbing services available at
pharmacies and schools online at www.bopdhb.govt.nz/health-
advice/a-z-of-health-advice/rheumatic-fever/
15