Last modified: 2024-08-02
Abstract
Objectives: To look into community pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives about prescribing complementary supplements and/or non-prescription medications to overweight and obese patients to assist them lose weight.
Method: 207 registered pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, participated in a cross-sectional, descriptive investigation with a self-administered questionnaire.
Key findings: Although 88.4% of respondents had a good level of awareness about Weight Management Products and their practices, the majority of them had mixed opinions (neutral attitude, 52.1%; answers, 59.9%) about the safety and efficacy of these items. There was a minor, negative association between knowledge and attitude (r = -0.125, n = 207, p = 0.038) and an intermediate, positive link between attitude and reaction. (r = 0.347, n = 207, p = 0.000).
Conclusions: Community pharmacists, since they can readily be found, play a crucial part in ensuring that whatever items are proposed for clients are suitable, efficient, and safe. Community pharmacists' understanding and attitudes toward the use of non-prescription drugs and supplements to lose weight must be raised and improved to ensure they are well-equipped to serve the community safely and appropriately.
Keywords; Community pharmacist, Kuala Lumpur, OTC, supplements, weight loss products.