NHS Grampian project: treating uncomplicated lower urinary tract infection in community pharmacy

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common conditions seen in female patients in general practice (GP) and account for 1–3% of all GP consultations each year in the UK. Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments for UTIs currently available in community pharmacy only attempt to relieve symptoms, and do not address the bacterial infection. The Grampian project was developed to provide treatment of uncomplicated UTIs through community pharmacies by means of a Patient Group Direction (PGD) for trimethoprim. The study suggests that pharmacists were able to respond appropriately to UTI symptoms with correct use of trimethoprim. Re-treatment levels did not appear to be high when assessed using prescribing data and were less than seen in similar audits of GP prescriptions.