Assessment of herbal weight loss supplement counseling provided to patients by pharmacists and nonpharmacists in community settings

Abstract

To assess the extent of appropriate counseling provided to patients by pharmacists and nonpharmacists in retail settings regarding herbal dietary supplements for weight loss. Descriptive, exploratory, nonexperimental study. Phoenix, AZ, metropolitan area, from June 2008 to January 2009. Pharmacists and nonpharmacists (e.g., cashiers, sales clerks, pharmacy technicians) working in retail locations selling herbal dietary supplements (e.g., grocery stores, health food stores, pharmacies). Investigators posing as patients sought herbal weight loss supplement product recommendations and counseling on potential safety, drug interaction, and adverse effect issues from pharmacists or nonpharmacists. Level of knowledge regarding safety and efficacy of herbal dietary supplements for weight loss. 52 sites were visited, and 27 unique product recommendations were given. In general, counseling provided to investigators/patients by pharmacists versus nonpharmacists varied significantly (P < 0.05) except when participants were asked about expected weight loss (P = 0.39) or use of herbal supplements during pregnancy (P = 0.07) and breast-feeding (P = 0.48). Pharmacists were more reluctant to recommend herbal products for weight loss than nonpharmacists and tended to question the safety and/or efficacy of these products or refer the patient to an alternate health care provider. The counseling that investigators/patients received regarding herbal products for weight loss in various retail settings from both pharmacists and non-pharmacists varied greatly. Efforts are needed from the medical and herbal communities to ensure that patients are adequately informed about herbal products at the point of purchase.