Pharmacy education in traditional and complementary medicines - A systematic review

Carolina Oi Lam Ung; Nadin Kbar; Parisa Aslani; Lorraine Smith; Ingrid C Gelissen; Joanna E Harnett

doi:10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.07.007

Pharmacy education in traditional and complementary medicines - A systematic review

Res Social Adm Pharm. 2023 Oct;19(10):1331-1353. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.07.007. Epub 2023 Jul 17.

Authors

Carolina Oi Lam Ung¹, Nadin Kbar², Parisa Aslani², Lorraine Smith², Ingrid C Gelissen², Joanna E Harnett³

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, Department of Public Health and Medicinal Administration, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau; The University of Sydney, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: carolinaung@um.edu.mo.
² The University of Sydney, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, Australia.
³ The University of Sydney, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: joanna.harnett@sydney.edu.au.

PMID: 37482480
DOI: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2023.07.007

Abstract

Background: Traditional and complementary medicines (T&CMs) are not typically covered in medical curricula despite 80% of the world's population using some form of herbal product as part of their healthcare. Concurrent use of T&CMs with conventional therapies is common, and both are primarily accessed in pharmacies. There is an expectation that pharmacists should be knowledgeable about T&CMs. Therefore, this review aimed to investigate what is currently known about pharmacists' T&CMs education and training to inform developments in pharmacy education.

Methods: Eligible studies published between 01/01/2016 and 28/02/2023 were identified across six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, ScienceDirect and MEDLINE). Data were extracted from included studies and categorized into key themes and sub-themes and reported descriptively.

Findings: Fifty-eight studies were identified, conducted across 30 countries, that included information about pharmacists' T&CMs education and training. Within the four main themes extracted, six subthemes were identified including: T&CMs education and training received; inadequate education and training opportunities; knowledge, and confidence towards T&CMs in the pharmacy setting; professional practice behaviour associated with T&CM; university education for pharmacy students; and continuing professional development for practicing pharmacists, including T&CM-drug interactions, interpreting T&CM research, T&CM-specific communication skills, T&CM use in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and efficacy and safety of T&CM in specific conditions.

Conclusion: Overall pharmacists are receiving limited T&CM education in undergraduate and continuing professional training and report a lack of resources to inform the advice they provide to consumers. The findings of this review can inform developments in T&CMs curriculum and accreditation standards that support the training needs of pharmacists who play a role in fostering the safe and appropriate use of these products.

Publication types

Systematic Review
Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Community Pharmacy Services*
Complementary Therapies*
Education, Pharmacy*
Female
Humans
Medicine, Traditional
Pharmacists
Pharmacy*
Professional Role