When can a pharmacist give an antibiotic without a prescription?

Verified 17 December 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

After a positive test detects a case of angina or cystitis, a pharmacist can deliver an antibiotic.

Trained pharmacists can do a rapid diagnostic orientation test (Trod) if they suspect the following:

  • DThroat in children from 10 years of age and in adults when the person’s symptoms warrant testing
  • Or simple urinary tract infection (UTI)cystitis) for women aged between 16 and 65.

Before performing one of these tests, the pharmacist verifies that the patient does not have an exclusion criterion. Examples:

  • Pregnancy established or not excluded
  • Immunosuppression (a weakened immune system) or risk of immunosuppression due to a medical condition (HIV) or drug
  • Insufficient collection of medical information (lack of command of French).

If positive test confirming the infection, the pharmacist may prescribe antibiotics.

FYI  

The support of these tests by the Health Insurance is 70%. The rest is covered by a mutual.