Sore Throat and Strep A Treatment in Holborn, London — from £19.99
Ways Pharmacy offers a pharmacist-led sore throat and tonsillitis service at our GPhC-registered pharmacy (premises number 9012227) at 77 Southampton Row, Holborn WC1 — around two minutes' walk from the British Museum. Most sore throats are caused by viruses and get better within a week without antibiotics. The pharmacist checks your symptoms and looks at your throat, uses a recognised scoring system (FeverPAIN or Centor), and only offers antibiotics when a bacterial infection such as Strep A is likely. Because the pharmacist needs to examine your throat, this service is in store — just walk in, no appointment needed. We can help in English or Chinese (中文).
Sore throat treatment at a glance
| Treatment options | Self-care and pain relief advice for most people; a 5-day antibiotic course when bacterial infection is likely: phenoxymethylpenicillin (青霉素 V), or clarithromycin (克拉霉素) or erythromycin (红霉素) for people allergic to penicillin |
|---|---|
| Price | Antibiotic course from £19.99 · throat examination free · no charge if no medicine is supplied |
| Who it is for | Adults and children aged 5 and over with a sore throat that started within the last 7 days |
| How it works | Walk in to our Holborn pharmacy for a free throat examination — no appointment needed |
| Pharmacist assessment | Required, including a FeverPAIN or Centor score. Antibiotics are supplied only if the pharmacist confirms they are appropriate |
| Where and when | 77 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4ET · Monday to Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm |
| Language | English and Chinese (中英文服务) |
Start your free online assessment, then walk in for a free throat check — no appointment needed (Monday to Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm) — or call 020 8106 7084.
Treatment options and prices
| Option | What it is | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-care advice | Rest, fluids, paracetamol or ibuprofen, and medicated lozenges or throat sprays where suitable. Right for most sore throats | Free advice | Throat lozenges and sprays are available in store |
| Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V) 250mg tablets | First-choice antibiotic when one is needed. Adults and children 12 and over: 500mg (2 tablets) four times a day for 5 days | £19.99 (5-day course) | Penicillin V |
| Clarithromycin | Alternative for people allergic to penicillin. Adults and children 12 and over: 500mg twice a day for 5 days | £19.99 (5-day course) | Clarithromycin |
| Erythromycin | Alternative for people allergic to penicillin, for example during pregnancy. Adults and children 12 and over: 500mg four times a day for 5 days | £19.99 (5-day course) | Erythromycin |
| Strep A rapid test kit | Throat swab test kit sold separately | £10.99 | Strep A test |
A home Strep A test result does not replace the pharmacist's assessment. If you have tested positive, tell the pharmacist — they will still check your symptoms and throat before deciding on treatment. Children aged 5 to 11 receive a dose based on their age or weight, and a liquid medicine may be needed.
How the pharmacist decides whether you need antibiotics
The pharmacist uses one of two scoring systems recommended in UK guidance. In the FeverPAIN score, you get one point each for: fever in the past 24 hours, pus on the tonsils, seeing us within 3 days of symptoms starting, severely inflamed tonsils, and no cough or cold symptoms.
- Score 0 to 1: antibiotics are not recommended; self-care advice
- Score 2 to 3: usually no antibiotic, or a "back-up" plan if symptoms do not improve
- Score 4 to 5 with significant symptoms: an antibiotic may be supplied if appropriate
The Centor score gives one point each for pus on the tonsils, tender swollen glands at the front of the neck, a history of fever over 38°C, and no cough. A score of 3 or 4 may mean an antibiotic is appropriate. Allergies, pregnancy, other medicines and your overall health are also taken into account.
Who can use this service
- Adults and children aged 5 and over (under-18s come with a parent or guardian)
- A sore throat, pharyngitis or tonsillitis that started 7 days ago or less
- Able to swallow tablets or liquid medicine
The pharmacist takes extra care if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have taken antibiotics recently, have other long-term conditions, or take medicines such as blood thinners, statins or heart medicines, as some of these interact with clarithromycin and erythromycin.
When you should see a GP or get urgent help instead
Call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child has difficulty breathing, noisy breathing (stridor), cannot swallow saliva or is drooling, or is very unwell and may have sepsis. Contact NHS 111 or a GP urgently, rather than using this service, if you have:
- Severe pain on one side of the throat, difficulty opening your mouth, a muffled voice or a swelling at the back of the throat (signs of an abscess, called quinsy)
- Severe neck swelling or signs of dehydration
- A red, sandpaper-like rash, a "strawberry" tongue or flushed face, which can be signs of scarlet fever
- Marked tiredness with very swollen neck glands (possible glandular fever)
- A sore throat lasting more than 7 days without improvement, or one that has not improved after a course of antibiotics
- Frequent tonsillitis, or a weakened immune system
- A mouth ulcer, red or white patch, lump or hoarseness that has lasted more than 3 weeks
How it works
- Start your free online assessment. Answer questions about your symptoms, allergies, medical history and medicines, and confirm your identity. You can also skip this step and answer the questions in the pharmacy.
- Walk in — no appointment needed. Visit us during opening hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm).
- Free throat examination. The pharmacist reviews your answers, looks at your throat in a private consulting room and works out your FeverPAIN or Centor score.
- If an antibiotic is suitable, pay and take it home the same visit. If antibiotics are not recommended, you pay nothing — the pharmacist gives you self-care advice and explains when to seek further help. If you have already paid online, you receive a full refund.
If the medicine you choose is not suitable, the pharmacist may suggest another option; you only pay once a suitable treatment is confirmed. Children aged 5 to 17 should come with a parent or guardian.
Why choose Ways Pharmacy
- Throat examination by a GPhC-registered pharmacist in a private consulting room
- Recognised FeverPAIN and Centor scoring, and antibiotics only when they are likely to help
- Free throat examination and no separate consultation fee — you pay only for medicine supplied
- Consultation and advice in Chinese (中文) or English
- Central London location near the British Museum, Holborn and Russell Square stations
Frequently asked questions
Do I need antibiotics for a sore throat?
Usually not. Most sore throats are caused by viruses and get better within about a week. Antibiotics only help when a bacterial infection is likely, and they can cause side effects such as diarrhoea and rash.
What is Strep A?
Group A Streptococcus is a bacterium that can cause tonsillitis ("strep throat") and scarlet fever. A high FeverPAIN or Centor score suggests a bacterial infection such as Strep A is more likely.
Why do I need to come in, and do I need an appointment?
The pharmacist needs to look at your throat — for example for pus on the tonsils, swelling or signs of an abscess — to score your symptoms accurately and rule out problems that need a doctor. No appointment is needed, and the examination is free.
Which antibiotic will I get?
Phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V) is the usual first choice. If you are allergic to penicillin, clarithromycin may be offered, or erythromycin if you are pregnant. All courses last 5 days.
How do I take penicillin V?
Take it four times a day, ideally on an empty stomach (30 minutes before food or 2 hours after), and finish the full 5-day course even if you feel better.
When will I feel better?
If you have been given an antibiotic, symptoms usually start to improve within 2 to 3 days. Seek medical advice if your symptoms get worse, you develop difficulty swallowing or breathing, or you are not better after a week.
Can children use this service?
Yes, children aged 5 and over can be assessed in store with a parent or guardian. Children under 5 with a sore throat should see a GP or call NHS 111.
Can I use a home Strep A test and treat myself?
No. The test kit is sold separately, but antibiotics are only supplied after a pharmacist has assessed you in person.
Is this an NHS service?
No. Ways Pharmacy Holborn is a private pharmacy and does not provide NHS services.
Related services: ear infection treatment · cold sore treatment · conjunctivitis treatment
Suspected side effects can be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.
This page gives factual information about pharmacy services and medicines. Any medicine is supplied only after a pharmacist has assessed that it is suitable for you.
Ways Pharmacy
77 Southampton Row, Holborn, London WC1B 4ET
Telephone: 020 8106 7084
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am–6:00pm, closed Saturday and Sunday
Around 2 minutes' walk from the British Museum, near Holborn station
GPhC-registered pharmacy premises: 9012227 · About Ways Pharmacy
