Meng-Wong Taing1, Eunice Tze Xin Tan1, Gail M Williams2, Alexandra M Clavarino1, Treasure M McGuire1,3,4. 1. School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia. 2. School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia. 3. Mater Pharmacy Services, Mater Health Services, Brisbane, Qld, Australia. 4. Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine, Bond University, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate pharmacists' herbal/nutrient weight loss complementary medicine (WLCM) practices in the context of other pharmacist weight management support practices (provision of lifestyle advice, orlistat and meal replacement treatments); and gain insight into their attitudes, recommendations, information and education needs. METHODS: Pharmacists from a randomly selected sample of 214 community pharmacies from different socioeconomic areas in the Greater Brisbane region, Australia, were invited to complete a survey to explore their weight management practices, with a specific focus on herbal/nutrient WLCM practices. Data collected from the sample group represented pharmacist practices within the metropolitan Greater Brisbane region. KEY FINDINGS: This survey achieved a 51% response rate. During weight management consultations, a high proportion of customers (37%) sought advice from community pharmacists relating to WLCMs relative to other weight management practices; however, only a small proportion (10%) of pharmacists recommended them. Most were also found to be using resources that may not be evidence-based or do not provide sufficient WLCMs' information. CONCLUSION: Study results highlight the need for pharmacy professional bodies to develop evidence-based continuing education programmes to assist consumers with popular and widely available WLCMs products.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate pharmacists' herbal/nutrient weight loss complementary medicine (WLCM) practices in the context of other pharmacist weight management support practices (provision of lifestyle advice, orlistat and meal replacement treatments); and gain insight into their attitudes, recommendations, information and education needs. METHODS: Pharmacists from a randomly selected sample of 214 community pharmacies from different socioeconomic areas in the Greater Brisbane region, Australia, were invited to complete a survey to explore their weight management practices, with a specific focus on herbal/nutrient WLCM practices. Data collected from the sample group represented pharmacist practices within the metropolitan Greater Brisbane region. KEY FINDINGS: This survey achieved a 51% response rate. During weight management consultations, a high proportion of customers (37%) sought advice from community pharmacists relating to WLCMs relative to other weight management practices; however, only a small proportion (10%) of pharmacists recommended them. Most were also found to be using resources that may not be evidence-based or do not provide sufficient WLCMs' information. CONCLUSION: Study results highlight the need for pharmacy professional bodies to develop evidence-based continuing education programmes to assist consumers with popular and widely available WLCMs products.
Authors: John Papastergiou; Nadir Kheir; Katerina Ladova; Silas Rydant; Fabio De Rango; Sotiris Antoniou; Reka Viola; Maria Dolores Murillo; Stephane Steurbaut; Filipa Alves da Costa Journal: Int J Clin Pharm Date: 2017-11-14