Factors affecting community pharmacists to advise patients about herbal medicine : a survey in Indonesia

The uses of herbal medicine have been increasing in Indonesia.  As a healthcare professional who mostly encounter patients when purchase herbal products, pharmacists are responsible and knowledgeable in herbal medicine (HM) and counseling areas. Pharmacists will be more recognized as drug expert by actively advising patients about appropriate use of herbal medicine. However, Indonesian pharmacists more likely suggest conventional medicine for patients’ treatment. This study aimed to explore factors that affected Indonesian community pharmacists intention to advise and advising patients about herbal medicine. A cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted towards Indonesian community pharmacists by online in Indonesia from May to June 2016. Of the 1044 email sent, 168 responses were usable. The results showed that pharmacists expressed positive and strong attitudes toward advising patients about HM and had a strong intention to advise patients. The logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ2(5)=80.311, p<0.001. Attitude toward advising HM (expβ = 3.93), perceived knowledge (expβ = 2.22) about HM, and pharmacist personal use (expβ = 1.79), had significant relationship with intention to advise about HM. Intention (expβ = 1.63) significantly predict pharmacists’ advising about HM In conclusion, pharmacist’s attitude toward advising patients about herbal medicine, perceived knowledge about herbal medicine, and personal use were important factors that made pharmacists intend to advise patients about herbal medicine and indirectly affect pharmacist to advise about HM through intention to advise about HM.