Making Integrative Medicine Safer: Study Shows Pharmacists Require More Education on Natural Remedies

Many of us complement conventional medication with natural supplements and neutraceuticals. But what happens when drugs interact, asks a Canadian study?

The study found most community pharmacists woefully uneducated about natural products, alternative medicine and complementary medicine.

More than 200 adult users of natural health products were observed as they purchased natural health products from community pharmacists. Researchers documented the amounts and types of natural health products purchased and found that out of a total of nearly 500 possible "prescribed drug/natural product" combination, in 49 clients, no instructions, recommendations or warnings were issued by pharmacists, even though the users did not differ in gender or mean age. Out of these, 53 combos were considered clinically significant.

Even more interesting is that there was no documentation of the purchases, in the event of a mishap or adverse combo reaction.

The conclusion according to this June 2007 study, is that further education of healthcare professionals regarding Natural Healthcare Products is needed.