What the guidelines say and why it matters at the counter: efficacy, safety, and adherence in focus.
For pharmacists advising patients on joint pain, topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) represent a well-evidenced, guideline-backed option warranting clear communication at the point of dispensing.
GUIDELINE-BACKED FIRST-LINE THERAPY
Topical NSAIDs are consistently positioned as a primary pharmacological option for joint pain. NICE recommends offering a topical NSAID for knee joint pain and considering one for pain affecting other joints.1 The ACR/Arthritis Foundation strongly...
