Learning scenario
Learning scenario
Matching product to need
Elliot comes into the pharmacy and asks to speak to the pharmacist, but the support team ask if there is anything they can help with first. Elliot explains that it is a busy time of year at work, balancing meetings, presentations and events over a short time period. For the last few days he has had a really sore throat that has made it too painful to eat. He takes no other medication, but in the past has used Difflam™ Throat Spray. He wants something that works just as well but is more discrete, so he can use it between meetings at work.
What would you recommend?
Refer him to the GP – incorrect.
Elliot is not showing any sign of concerns to refer to the GP. Sore throats are often self-limiting and should improve within one week. You can offer appropriate self-care advice and Difflam™ to provide pain relief
Recommend Difflam™ Throat Spray – incorrect.
There is a more suitable answer. Although Difflam™ Throat Spray is portable and will offer effective pain relief, Difflam™ Lozenges are a better option as they are equally as effective as the spray and he will be able to use them more discretely at work.
Explain that it will improve on its own – incorrect.
Even though sore throats are often self-limiting and should improve within one week, you can still offer self-care advice to help relieve symptoms and pain relief using Difflam™ products.
Recommend Difflam™ Lozenges – correct.
Difflam™ Lozenges are as effective as Difflam™ Throat Spray to provide relief, but are more convenient to use around Elliot’s lifestyle at work.
Counselling on sore throats and antibiotics
A woman comes in to the pharmacy and explains that her partner, 3 children and herself have been suffering with a sore throat over the last 4 days. You check how old her children are, and they are aged 5, 8 and 13. They all seem to be improving, however she would like something to help manage the pain, that is suitable for the whole family. Using your WWHAM questioning, you confirm that they are not taking any other medicines, and she is not pregnant.
What would you advise for this family?
Recommend Difflam™ Throat Spray – correct.
Explain that their sore throats are likely to improve within a week. Difflam™ Throat Spray is suitable for the whole family and will provide quick relief. Advise on the recommended dosage for each member of the family as it will be different for each child’s age.
Refer to the GP – incorrect.
You can explain that sore throats typically improve within a week. Offer self-care advice such as maintaining an adequate fluid intake, and recommend Difflam™ Throat Spray for pain relief.
Recommend paracetamol for pain relief – incorrect.
Although this is suitable self-care advice, Difflam™ Throat Spray is a better option as it targets the site of pain directly and works with a triple action mechanism to provide relief. Difflam™ Throat Spray is also suitable for the whole family
Explain that the family needs antibiotics – incorrect
Sore throats are not recommended to be treated with antibiotics first-line. This is a good opportunity to educate the customer about antibiotic resistance, and why they shouldn’t be used on this occasion. Offer self-care advice and Difflam™ Throat Spray to provide quick pain relief for family.
Now you have completed this module, continue to the assessment to test your knowledge and record your learning.
References
1. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng84/chapter/Recommendations#managing-acute-sore-throat
2. Sore Throat - NHS Choices. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat/
3. Glandular Fever - NHS Choices. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/glandular-fever/
Online references last accessed August 2024
Difflam™ 3 mg Lozenges (benzydamine hydrochloride) Lemon and Orange-Honey flavour
Presentation: Difflam 3 mg Lozenges, contains 3mg of benzydamine hydrochloride equivalent to 2.68 mg of benzydamine. Indications: Difflam is indicated in adults and children over 6 years of age for symptomatic local treatment for the relief of pain and irritation of mouth and throat. Dosage and Administration: : For oropharyngeal use. Adults and children over 6 years of age: one lozenge 3 times a day. Lozenge should be dissolved slowly in the mouth. Do not swallow. Do not chew. The treatment must not exceed 7 days. Contraindication: Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients. Warnings and Precautions: Benzydamine use is not advisable in patients with hypersensitivity to salicylic acid or other NSAIDs. Bronchospasm may be precipitated in patients suffering from or with a previous history of bronchial asthma. Caution should be exercised in these patients. In a minority of patients, buccal/pharyngeal ulceration may be caused by serious disease processes. Patients whose symptoms worsen or do not improve within 3 days, or who appear feverish or have other symptoms, must therefore seek the advice of their doctor or dentist as appropriate. Difflam lozenges contain: Aspartame and Isomalt; aspartame is hydrolysed to phenylalanine which may be harmful for people with phenylketonuria. Isomalt is unsuitable for patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance and so should not take this medicine. Interactions: Not Known Pregnancy and lactation: Difflam Lozenges should not be used in pregnancy or lactation. Undesirable effects: Serious (frequency not known): Anaphylactic reaction which can be potentially life-threatening, Hypersensitivity reactions, Hypoaesthesia oral. (Uncommon): Photosensitivity, (Rare): Burning mouth, Dry mouth, (Very rare): Laryngospasm, Angioedema. Basic price (UK): RRP 20 lozenges £7.59 Product licence number: Lemon flavour PL 60682/0011, Orange-Honey flavour PL 60682/0013. Legal Category: P.
Difflam™ 0.15 % w/v Spray (benzydamine hydrochloride)
Presentation: Difflam™ Spray contains benzydamine hydrochloride 0.15% w/v. Each metered dose pump spray delivers approximately 175mcl per puff. Indications: Difflam™ Spray is a locally acting analgesic and anti-inflammatory treatment for the throat and mouth. It is especially useful for the relief of pain in traumatic conditions such as following surgical removal of tonsils or the use of a naso-gastric tube; dental surgery. Dosage and administration: Adults and elderly: 4 to 8 puffs, 1½ to 3 hourly. Children aged 6-12: 4 puffs, 1½ to 3 hourly. Children under 6: One puff per 4kg body weight, up to a maximum 4 puffs, 1½ to 3 hourly. Contra-indications: Patients with known hypersensitivity to ingredients. Warnings and Precautions: Not advisable in patients with hypersensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs. Bronchospasm may be precipitated in patients suffering from or with a previous history of bronchial asthma. Caution should be exercised in these patients. The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects. Some inactive ingredients may cause allergic reactions. Avoid contact with the eyes. Interactions: None known. Pregnancy and lactation: Difflam™ Spray should not be used in pregnancy or lactation unless considered essential by the physician. There is no evidence of a teratogenic effect in animal studies. Undesirable effects: Serious (frequency not known): Anaphylactic reaction which can be potentially life-threatening. Hypersensitivity reactions. Angioedema (Uncommon): Oral tissue numbness or ‘stinging’ sensations in the mouth may occur which may disappear on continuing treatment. (Very rare): pruritus, rash, urticaria, photosensitivity reaction, laryngospasm / bronchospasm. Prescribers should consult the Summary of Product Characteristics in relation to side-effects. Special precautions for storage: Do not store above 30°C. Do not refrigerate or freeze. Keep out of reach of children. Basic price (UK): RRP 30ml spray £8.49. Marketing Authorization number: PL 60682/0016 Legal category: P.
Difflam™ Sore Throat Rinse & Difflam™ Oral Rinse (benzydamine hydrochloride)
Presentation: Difflam™ Sore Throat Rinse & Difflam™ Oral Rinse contain benzydamine hydrochloride 0.15% w/v. Presented as a gargle/oral rinse in a 200ml and 300ml glass bottle respectively. Indications: Locally acting analgesic and anti-inflammatory treatment for the relief of painful inflammatory conditions of the throat including pharyngitis. Dosage and administration: Rinse or gargle with 15ml (using measuring cup provided) every 1½-3 hours as required. Expel solution from the mouth after use. If stinging occurs the rinse may be diluted with water. Uninterrupted treatment should not exceed seven days, except under medical supervision. It is not suitable for children aged 12 years or under. Contra-indications: Patients with hypersensitivity to ingredients. Warnings and Precautions: Not advisable in patients with hypersensitivity to acetylsalicylic acid or other NSAIDs. Bronchospasm may be precipitated in patients suffering from or with a previous history of bronchial asthma. Caution should be exercised in these patients. The small amount of alcohol in this medicine will not have any noticeable effects. Some inactive ingredients may cause allergic reactions. Avoid contact with the eyes. Interactions: None known. Pregnancy and lactation: Difflam™ Sore Throat Rinse should not be used in pregnancy or lactation unless considered essential by the physician. There is no evidence of a teratogenic effect in animal studies. Undesirable effects: Serious (frequency not known): Anaphylactic reaction which can be potentially life-threatening. Hypersensitivity reactions. Angioedema (Uncommon): Oral tissue numbness or 'stinging' sensations in the mouth may occur. (Very rare): pruritus, rash, urticaria, photosensitivity reaction, laryngospasm/bronchospasm. Prescribers should consult the Summary of Product Characteristics in relation to side-effects. Basic price (UK): RRP Difflam™ Sore Throat Rinse 200ml bottle £8.99 Difflam™ Oral Rinse 300ml bottle £11.19 Product licence number: Difflam™ Sore Throat Rinse PL 60682/0014 & Difflam™ Oral Rinse PL 60682/0015 Legal category: P
Marketing Authorisation Holder: Cooper Consumer Health B.V. Verrijn Stuartweg 60, 1112AX Diemen – The Netherlands. Date of preparation of Essential information: August 2025 Ref number: MAT-DIF-00077
The SmPC for this product, including adverse reactions, precautions, contra-indications, and method of use can be found at: Find product information about medicines and from from Cooper Consumer Health B.V., Verrijn Stuartweg 60, 1112 AX Diemen, The Netherlands.
Please continue to report suspected adverse drug reactions with any medicine or vaccine to the MHRA through the Yellow Card Scheme. It is easiest and quickest to report adverse drug reactions online via the Yellow Card Scheme website: Yellow Card | Making medicines and medical devices safer or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Alternatively, you can report via some clinical IT systems (EMIS/SystemOne/Vision/MiDatabank) or by calling the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) free phone line: 0800-731-6789. Adverse reactions/events should also be reported to MAH at e-mail address: vigilanceglobal@cooperconsumerhealth.com
Date of preparation: August 2024