Complementary Medicines - A Perplexing Pharmaceutical Product Essay

There is no place for the supply of vitamins or complimentary medicines in pharmacy. Some evidence suggests that complementary medicines work can work, and that consumer use of complementary medicines is on the increase. However, most complementary medicines lack clinical trials that conclusively prove their efficacy. This is further compounded by a lack of clear information on the status of the body of evidence for the support of specific complementary medicines. For pharmacists, considered as drug therapy experts within the community, their supply from a pharmacy presents a serious ethical dilemma, because it is would be unwise to recommend an unproven treatment. This essay will argue that there is no place for the supply of complementary medicines in pharmacy. Reasons for consumer demand for complementary medicine will be reviewed and the ethics of their supply by a pharmacist within a pharmacy will be examined. Within this essay, the term ‘complementary’ medicines will be intended to include â€Å"herbal medicines, traditional medicines, vita mins and minerals, nutritional supplements, homeopathic medicines and aromatherapy products† as defined by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (REF:TGA). Complementary medicine use has become wide spread, and by all accounts, consumer demand is increasing further. A 2004 representative population survey conducted within Australia revealed that 52% of Australians had used a complementary medicine within the last twelve months (REF:6). (REF:2) reports that consumers reasons for accessing complementary medicines are several and varied, and includes: a) those without ready access to conventional therapies, b) those dissatisfied with conventional care, c) those whom conventional me... ...omplementary medicines do not require proof of efficacy and therefore their efficacy has not been established. The belief held by about half of the Australian public that the government tests complementary medicines for efficacy is incorrect. This creates a problem for health care professionals because a risk-benefit profile can not be established, and so consequently they are unable to recommend an unproven complementary medicine. Lack of efficacy also creates ethical challenges for their supply as the community perceives pharmacists as evidence-based experts on drug therapy, but for the majority of complementary medicines this evidence does not exist. Therefore, there is no place for the supply of complementary medicines in pharmacy. (REF:5) summaries this position well, â€Å"when proof of efficacy is lacking, any risk, no matter how remote, is too much to bear†.