Awareness of patients in the city of Belgrade about herbal products

  • Aleksandar Jovanović University of Niš – Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy; University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation
  • Jelena Stefanović-Vojinović AU Lilly drogerie
  • Jelena Kukić-Marković University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy
  • Silvana Petrović University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy
  • Milica Drobac University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy
  • Ivana Tadić University of Belgrade – Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation

Abstract


The use of medicinal plants has significant impact on human health (1,2). Approximately 13.000 medicinal plants are used worldwide, and in developing countries 65-80% of the population uses them for medicinal purposes. The aim of the study was to examine the awareness of patients in the city of Belgrade about herbal products. Quantitative, non-experimental research was conducted using a purpose-built questionnaire in public pharmacies during February 2020. The survey involved 954 respondents, mostly women (66.5%); 39.1% of respondents aged 20-40 years. Most of the respondents were employed (65.2%), with secondary school education (45.2%). The vast majority (97.3%) used medicinal plants/herbal products, mostly occasionally, as needed (38.4%). The main motive for their use was health improvement (75.2%), while 16.2% used them to treat diseases. The primary sources of information on medicinal plants/herbal products are pharmacists (45.1%) and the media (24.2%). About a third of the respondents (37.3%) stated that they knew the difference between herbal medicinal products and dietary supplements. 52.9% of respondents claimed that herbal medicinal products are effective, but less than synthetic drugs, while 61.5% claimed that they are safe, but with certain side effects. A third of respondents (32.9%) had difficulty understanding instructions for use and they needed additional explanations. Majority (70.6%) received advice from a pharmacist when buying a herbal product. Pharmacists are health professionals who have adequate knowledge of medicinal plants/herbal products and have a key role in advising patients in order to implement the proper use of herbal medicinal and other herbal products.

References

Capasso F, Gaginella TS, Grandolini G, Izzo AA. Phytotherapy: a quick reference to herbal medicine. Springer Science & Business Media. 2003.

Palhares RM, Gonçalves Drummond M, dos Santos Alves Figueiredo Brasil B, Pereira Cosenza G, das Graças Lins Brandão M, Oliveira G. Medicinal plants recommended by the World Health Organization: DNA barcode identification associated with chemical analyses guarantees their quality. PloS one. 2015;10(5), e0127866.

Published
2022/10/18
Section
Poster presentations session Medicinal herbs and phytotherapy