Perceptions, use and attitudes of pharmacy customers on complementary medicines and pharmacy practice
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Complementary 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 ex...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Book |
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BMC,
2010-07-01T00:00:00Z.
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| Summary: | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Complementary 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.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Pharmacy 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.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>1,121 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>CMs are widely used by pharmacy customers of all ages who want pharmacists to be more involved in providing advice about these products.</p> |
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| Item Description: | 10.1186/1472-6882-10-38 1472-6882 |