WWHAM framework

• W — Who is the medicine for?

• W — What are the symptoms?

• H — How long have the symptoms been present?

• A — Action — what has already been tried?

• M — Medication — what medicines is the patient currently taking?

• Plus: always check for allergies

You are a pharmacy student on placement in a community pharmacy. A customer approaches you at the medicines counter. Take a history and explain that you will report the information to the pharmacist.

To do:

1. Use the WWHAM framework to gather all relevant information from the customer.

You are NOT required to recommend any product or give any clinical advice.

You have 6 minutes.

You are Daniel Webb (Dan-yul Web).
You are 26 years old.

Opening statement: "Hi, could I get some advice about hayfever please?"

To be given if the student asks. Do not volunteer any information unprompted.

General acting notes:

• Only give information when directly asked — do not volunteer details unprompted.

• Be friendly and cooperative throughout.

• If asked anything not covered in this brief, say: "I'm not sure about that."

1. Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary. [online] London: BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. Available at: https://bnf.nice.org.uk [Accessed May 2026].

2. NICE, 2022. Allergic rhinitis. [online] Available at: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/allergic-rhinitis [Accessed May 2026].

3. NHS, 2023. Hay fever. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever [Accessed May 2026].