engleski

EVALUATION OF CONSUMERS STRUCTURE AND THEIR OPINION ON HERBAL REMEDIES IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE CITY OF ZAGREB

INTRODUCTION: Herbal preparations are the oldest way of treating various diseases. However, their regulation and place in modern healthcare system may be somewhat confusing for the users. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to investigate the consumption of herbal products, structure of their users, as well as to examine the opinion of patients on the safety and efficacy of herbal products, the knowledge of their indications, interactions and side effects. Furthermore, the aim was to examine the users' sources of information on herbal products, which of them they consider reliable and if they receive pharmacist's instructions on the safe use of these products during the purchase. METHOD / DESIGN: The survey was performed three pharmacies in Zagreb. It was completed by 100 subjects, right after they have purchased an herbal product, regardless if it was food supplement or herbal drug. The questions referred to sex, age and education of users, their opinions on safety and efficacy of herbal products, as well as sources of information that lead to the purchase of the product. RESULTS: Among users of herbal products, there were slightly more woman then man (56 vs. 44%) and majority of them were over 45 years old (59%) who finished secondary (49%) or had higher education (46%). Regarding the efficacy of the products, they were considered appropriate for treatment of serious diseases (55%), minor ailments (55%), as well as for the use by children (46%). The price played a high role in decision on purchasing a herbal product (66%). Most participants were of opinion that herbal products do not have potential for side-effects or interactions with conventional or other herbal drugs and 86% used both types of products concomitantly. Interestingly, most participants did not think that dosing is important when using a herbal product. The participants considered pharmacists (76%) and doctors (73%) the most reliable source of information on herbal products. The importance of healthy lifestyle was considered to support the activity of herbal products by a large majority of patients (89%). CONCLUSIONS: The results point to a patients’ lack of information on herbal preparations including their possible interactions and side effects. Furthermore, it was shown that users have great confidence in the pharmacist as a source of reliable information about the activity and potential side effects of herbal preparations This means that the pharmacist plays an important role in informing patients about taking herbal products, particularly in combination with conventional medicines, to minimize the possibility of undesired and harmful effects.

Herbal Medicinal Products; Herbal food supplements; Consumers’ opinion

nije evidentirano