Sore throat test

SIR – Dr Steven Hopkins (Letters, April 9) alerts us to the consequences of not treating sore throats: rising rates of scarlet fever and rheumatic fever.

Yet blanket prescribing of antibiotics is no longer acceptable, as it leads to resistance. Since it is not always obvious whether a sore throat is bacterial or viral in origin, what is needed is a cheap, quick test that will show which it is, so that antibiotics can be prescribed appropriately.

I understand that such a test exists. Why is it not being used in GP offices?