Perceptions, use and attitudes of pharmacy customers on complementary medicines and pharmacy practice

Abstract

BackgroundComplementary medicines (CMs) are popular amongst Australians and community pharmacy is a major supplier of these products. This study explores pharmacy customer use, attitudes and perceptions of complementary medicines, and their expectations of pharmacists as they relate to these products.MethodsPharmacy customers randomly selected from sixty large and small, metropolitan and rural pharmacies in three Australian states completed an anonymous, self administered questionnaire that had been pre-tested and validated.Results1,121 customers participated (response rate 62%). 72% had used CMs within the previous 12 months, 61% used prescription medicines daily and 43% had used both concomitantly. Multivitamins, fish oils, vitamin C, glucosamine and probiotics were the five most popular CMs. 72% of people using CMs rated their products as 'very effective' or 'effective enough'. CMs were as frequently used by customers aged 60 years or older as younger customers (69% vs. 72%) although the pattern of use shifted with older age.Most customers (92%) thought pharmacists should provide safety information about CMs, 90% thought they should routinely check for interactions, 87% thought they should recommend effective CMs, 78% thought CMs should be recorded in customer's medication profile and 58% thought pharmacies stocking CMs should also employ a complementary medicine practitioner. Of those using CMs, 93% thought it important for pharmacists to be knowledgeable about CMs and 48% felt their pharmacist provides useful information about CMs.ConclusionsCMs are widely used by pharmacy customers of all ages who want pharmacists to be more involved in providing advice about these products.

An Evidence-Based Course in Complementary Medicines

“…10,12,13,15 Ninetytwo percent of Australian pharmacy customers surveyed believed it was important for pharmacists to provide safety advice on CMs, and 87% thought pharmacists should recommend CM if they were effective. 12 The same study, however, revealed that only 48% of the customers who used CM believed their pharmacist provided useful CM information about these products. 12 While consumers expect pharmacists to be knowledgeable about CM, research also indicates that many pharmacists lack confidence in their knowledge or feel they do not have sufficient training in CM to enable them to meet this expectation.…”

“…10,[12][13][14] Studies on consumer attitudes reveal that users of natural medicines turn to pharmacists for information and expect them to be able to advise on CMs. 10,12,13,15 Ninetytwo percent of Australian pharmacy customers surveyed believed it was important for pharmacists to provide safety advice on CMs, and 87% thought pharmacists should recommend CM if they were effective. 12 The same study, however, revealed that only 48% of the customers who used CM believed their pharmacist provided useful CM information about these products.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Complementary medicines (CMs) are available to consumers from many different sources, with community pharmacies having been identified as one of the most common suppliers, especially of herbal medicines, nutritional medicines, and vitamin and mineral supplements. 10,12,13 In Australia, sales for CM products account for an estimated 40% of money spent on all nonsubsidized over-the-counter healthcare products. 5,12 Therefore, community pharmacists are ideally positioned to provide recommendations and guidance to pharmacy customers about the appropriate use of CMs and to address the growing range of customer questions about CM that this increase in use has generated.…”

“…10,12,13 In Australia, sales for CM products account for an estimated 40% of money spent on all nonsubsidized over-the-counter healthcare products. 5,12 Therefore, community pharmacists are ideally positioned to provide recommendations and guidance to pharmacy customers about the appropriate use of CMs and to address the growing range of customer questions about CM that this increase in use has generated. 10,[12][13][14] Studies on consumer attitudes reveal that users of natural medicines turn to pharmacists for information and expect them to be able to advise on CMs.…”

“…5,12 Therefore, community pharmacists are ideally positioned to provide recommendations and guidance to pharmacy customers about the appropriate use of CMs and to address the growing range of customer questions about CM that this increase in use has generated. 10,[12][13][14] Studies on consumer attitudes reveal that users of natural medicines turn to pharmacists for information and expect them to be able to advise on CMs. 10,12,13,15 Ninetytwo percent of Australian pharmacy customers surveyed believed it was important for pharmacists to provide safety advice on CMs, and 87% thought pharmacists should recommend CM if they were effective.…”