Paper Details

This research explores the multifaceted landscape of pharmacists' perceptions and practices regarding herbal medicines, shedding light on the diverse attitudes, challenges, and opportunities within the pharmacy profession. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach involving 250 participants from various practice settings, the study identifies a spectrum of attitudes ranging from openness to skepticism. Community pharmacists were found to be more inclined to recommend over-the-counter herbal products, while hospital pharmacists engaged more in counseling on herb-drug interactions. The study uncovers knowledge gaps and educational needs, emphasizing the importance of tailored and ongoing educational interventions to enhance pharmacists' competency in herbal medicine. Attitudes emerged as significant influencers on patient communication, underlining the necessity of incorporating attitudinal components in training programs. Challenges in patient communication highlighted the need for standardized, evidence-based resources to empower patients in making informed decisions. Recommendations include targeted educational strategies, interprofessional collaboration, and policy advocacy to fortify the pharmacy profession in navigating the dynamic landscape of herbal medicine integration. By addressing these findings, the study aims to contribute to a more informed, collaborative, and patient-centric approach to herbal medicine within pharmacy practice.

Herbal Medicines, Pharmacists' Perceptions, Pharmacy Practice, Attitudes, Patient Communication