Classification of herbal medicines : quality and safety

Abstract

The use of herbal medicines is on the increase. One of the possible reasons for the vast use of herbals may be due to the misconception that herbals are ‘natural’ and hence automatically safe. The aims of this research were to evaluate knowledge and confidence of pharmacists and health shop employees with regards to use of herbal medicines, to evaluate perception and attitudes of patients towards herbals and to analyse classifications of herbals within the EU from a regulatory aspect. A questionnaire was disseminated to 107 pharmacists and 14 health shop employees to determine knowledge and perception on herbal products and classification of herbal medicines. Another questionnaire was disseminated to 150 members of the general public, to determine their perception and attitudes towards the use of herbal products. A review on how herbal medicines are regulated within the EU was carried out. Pharmacists’ attained a mean knowledge score of 27 out of 56, while health shop employees obtained a mean knowledge score of 28 out of a maximum score of 56. Fifty six percent of the public interviewed co-administer herbal and conventional medicines and 65% prefer to seek advice about herbals from the pharmacist. There are still loopholes which need to be addressed from a regulatory aspect despite efforts to regularise herbal medicines. The results indicate the need to empower pharmacists and health shop employees with scientific information about herbal medicines to help improve their knowledge. Coadministration of herbal medicines with conventional medicines may jeopardise patient safety and such instances require a higher level of pharmacist intervention.