Building Confidence in Community Pharmacy Testing
With increasing pressure on community pharmacies to deliver timely, evidence-based care, rapid diagnostic testing has become an essential tool in supporting antimicrobial stewardship. The Weqas POCT Strep A External Quality Assessment (EQA) Programme provides pharmacies with the confidence that their Streptococcus A testing service is accurate, reliable, and delivering high-quality patient care.
Designed specifically for Point of Care Testing environments, this programme assesses the performance of both rapid antigen detection tests and newer nucleic acid detection technologies used to identify Streptococcus A. Accurate detection enables appropriate antibiotic prescribing, helping to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use while ensuring patients with bacterial infections receive prompt treatment.
One of the programme’s key strengths is its practicality. Participants receive three ready-to-use liquid samples bimonthly, eliminating the need for complex sample preparation and making participation simple and efficient for busy pharmacy teams. The programme includes samples covering a range of bacterial loads, ensuring ongoing assessment across different clinical scenarios.
Regular participation provides continuous monitoring of testing performance, helping pharmacies demonstrate quality, maintain compliance, and reassure commissioners, healthcare partners, and patients that results can be trusted. The programme also supports staff competency and strengthens governance frameworks around POCT services.
By enrolling in the Weqas POCT Strep A Programme, pharmacies can enhance service credibility, support antimicrobial stewardship initiatives, and confidently deliver high-quality diagnostic testing that improves patient outcomes and strengthens the value of community pharmacy services.
Last updated: 04/09/2026
