Pharmacy Voice and the Proprietary Association of Great Britain have launched this year’s ‘Treat Yourself Better’ campaign with a focus on seeking pharmacist advice first for cold and flu symptoms.

The campaign is designed to ease winter pressures for the NHS by reducing unnecessary visits to GPs and A&E, cutting demand for antibiotics and clearly signposting pharmacies as the first port of call for professional advice and treatment. Research commissioned by the ‘Treat Yourself Better With Pharmacist Advice’ campaign found that only 21 per cent of adults make use of their local pharmacy for winter ailments and that half of those who visit their GP do so because they want antibiotics.

To support the campaign, Pharmacy Voice and PAGB have revised the series of condition- specific ‘Self Care Advice’ guides, which were launched last year to help pharmacy teams deliver consistent advice and care. These are available as an electronic resource on the Pharmacy Voice and NPA websites.

The ‘Treat Yourself Better With Pharmacist Advice’ website, www.treatyourselfbetter.co.uk, includes a symptom checker and warning sign support material, to help people understand how long symptoms can last and when it is appropriate to seek medical assistance, and a section for healthcare professionals that includes a downloadable consumer leaflet and poster.