BACKGROUND: Pharmacists play a key role in primary healthcare, but the characteristics of @entity1 who consult a pharmacist directly rather than going to their general practitioner (GP) are unknown. Our aim was to describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of @entity1 who seek direct therapeutic advice from a pharmacist for @entity683 ( @entity683 ) or ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders, the types of medicines dispensed and @entity1 satisfaction with the advice received. METHODS: This prospective, observational study was carried out on a random sample of French pharmacies between November 2010 and March 2011. @entity1 (>= 12-years) with early symptoms of @entity2169 (<36  h duration) who received treatment were included. Socio-demographic data, symptom severity and disease impact on daily activities and sleep were recorded at inclusion. Symptom evolution and @entity1 satisfaction were assessed after 3 days of treatment. RESULTS: 573 @entity1 (mean age: 42.5      16.2 years; 61.9% female) were recruited by 133 pharmacies. Two-thirds of @entity1 (63.2%) visited the pharmacy early (<24  h) after symptom onset. The most common symptoms were runny nose (56.4%), sore throat (54.6%) and cough (49.0%). @entity1 were given 2.6      1.2 medications; 98.4% of @entity1 received allopathic (usually @entity1443 , 33.5%) and 25.3% homeopathic (Oscillococcinum, 56.6%) treatment, usually combined with allopathy. Compliance was good and 77.2% of @entity1 continued treatment for 3 days. Most symptoms improved significantly after 3 days and quality of life was enhanced. 85.9% of @entity1 were satisfied with the advice received. CONCLUSIONS: Seeking a pharmacist's advice for the management of @entity683 and ENT disorders has several public health benefits. The clinical improvement and high @entity1 satisfaction observed validate the role of the pharmacist as a health professional of first resort.

Management of the early symptoms of XXXX -like illnesses and ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders by pharmacists.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients', 'patient'] @entity683 :: ('MESH:D007251', 'Disease') :: ['influenza-like illness', 'ILI'] @entity1443 :: ('MESH:D000082', 'Chemical') :: ['paracetamol'] @entity2169 :: ('MESH:D004427', 'Disease') :: ['ILI or ENT disorders']
@entity683 :: (MESH:D007251,Disease) :: ['influenza']
