Amid amoxicillin shortage, how a pharmacy devises a way to treat strep throat
Fitchburg (WKOW) — In the wake of the Group A streptococcal surge in southern Wisconsin, several pharmacies in our area are stocking amoxicillin, a common streptococcal drug. But pharmacists at Fitchburg Family Pharmacy have found a way around this problem.
Since the beginning of 2023, cases of severe strep throat have surged nationwide. A Public Health Madison and Dane County (PHMDC) spokesperson said southern Wisconsin also saw a significant increase. The agency reports that from 2018 he saw a six-fold increase in streptococcal cases this year compared to the 2022 period.
Invasive group A streptococcal cases can be severe and even fatal, especially in young children. However, this time many age groups are affected, including adults.
Philosophy Walker, a Madison resident, collapsed from strep throat this week.
“I didn’t really know how many adults were infected until I got it,” Walker said. “And then everyone popped up and said, ‘Oh my husband just had that, or my partner just had that, or my friend just had that.’ rice field.
Just this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned of a shortage of amoxicillin, a common streptococcal drug. This is a problem because public health officials say infections can be fatal if not treated.
Fitchburg Family Pharmacy pharmacist Matt Huppert says demand for amoxicillin, the most common type prescribed, is on the rise and is also addressing shortages.
“Specifically, we are short of 400 milligrams per 5 milliliters of amoxicillin suspension,” Huppert said.
But Huppert says he thinks he’s found a solution to the problem. It simply provides more of a smaller amount of the drug to reach the required dosage.
“What we’ve done here to combat this is order this drug from quite a few different wholesalers, and we’ve got 250 milligrams per five bottles, even 120 milligrams per five bottles, and so on. It is to order in various concentrations.
Huppert also says there are alternatives if amoxicillin isn’t always available.
“If that becomes unavailable, we will switch to another antibiotic to treat that Streptococcus A,” Huppert said.
Doctors say washing your hands often and keeping your vaccines up to date can also prevent you from getting strep throat in the first place. It is easy to get infected with pharyngitis.
However, the most important thing health officials stress is the need for testing. Health officials say if you or your child start showing symptoms of strep throat, get tested as soon as possible and otherwise stay home.
Symptoms include redness, sore throat, fever, white streaks on the tonsils, and swollen lymph nodes.
Fitchburg Family Pharmacy also offers innovative solutions for getting tested for strep throat.
“We hear it’s hard to get into the clinic, sometimes it’s hard to get emergency care,” Huppert said. “That’s why here at our pharmacy, we offer rapid streptococcal testing and treatment protocol testing.”
This means that if someone comes into the pharmacy and tests positive for Streptococcus A, they don’t have to go to the doctor to prescribe drugs. can be inserted.
You will then receive a follow-up call one week after your positive test, and if your symptoms persist, we will partner with a local doctor to provide further treatment.
“She’s helped us provide this service, and she’s also providing treatment for people who have tested positive for strep.
