The “angina test” in pharmacies is finally postponed until spring

Originally planned from 1^er January 2020, the implementation of the “angina test” in pharmacies has finally been postponed, announced the Federation of Pharmaceutical Unions of France (FSPF). Designed to detect whether angina is viral or bacterial by taking a sample from the patient’s throat, this rapid diagnostic orientation test (TROD) was to be performed in pharmacies to relieve congestion in general practitioners’ waiting rooms and limit the consumption of antibiotics. Problem: Health Insurance “informed us in December that the regulatory texts would not be ready in time, and that it would rather be done in the spring”, Philippe Besset, president of the FSPF, told AFP.

Why perform this test in pharmacies?

In 80 to 90% of cases, angina is caused by a virus, he recalls. Antibiotic treatment is therefore useless, the patient can be satisfied with the drugs recommended by his pharmacist. Otherwise, that is to say if the angina is due to a bacterium, it will refer the patient to his doctor who can prescribe antibiotics.

Another possibility: the general practitioner can delegate the performance of the test to the pharmacist and provide him with what is called a “conditional prescription”, which allows the patient to obtain antibiotics directly if the angina is bacterial. The president of the FSPF nevertheless specifies that the General Directorate of Health has yet to specify certain terms, such as the age from which children can use this device.

Better understand angina

Angina is an acute inflammation of the tonsils, most often secondary to infection by a virus or bacteria, which affects 9 million French people each year. In adults, it is caused eight times out of ten by a virus infection. (adenovirus, Influenzae virus, respiratory syncytial virus or RSV, etc.). As we have seen above, antibiotics are therefore useless, even harmful. More rarely, it can be caused by a bacterial infection, often group A ß-hemolytic streptococcus. This requires antibiotic treatment because infection with this germ exposes you to the risk of potentially serious complications.

Indeed, this streptococcus can lead to an inflammatory joint disease, acute rheumatic fever (RAA) with a risk of heart valve damage or immuno-allergic kidney disease. Contamination by the virus or bacteria occurs directly through the air (when a patient coughs or sneezes nearby) or through contact with different parts of the body or contaminated objects.

How to prevent angina?

Angina, whether viral or bacterial, is a contagious infection. If you suffer from a sore throat, it is therefore advisable to avoid close contact with others, especially children. Wearing a mask can be effective. Finally, traditional hygiene measures such as careful and repeated hand washing are required.