Approach to alternative therapies in community pharmacy

Abstract

The growth of the dietary supplement in Japanese market suggests that the patient's need for assistance with self-care will also continue to grow. Patients' burgeoning acceptance and use of alternative therapies is another indication that patients seeking more from the health care system. The questionnaire showed that the most of them are expecting the pharmacists to provide their knowledge of dietary supplements. However, only limited amount of information is available. We founded the group Alterna in 2003, that compose the pharmacists working in community pharmacies accompanied with those in pharmaceutical universities. We have published the journal named "Alterna" that includes the information of dietary supplements, and it attained Vol. 9 in 2008. In the past studies, we evaluated the content and solubility of coenzyme Q10 dietary supplements in Japanese markets, some of which showed poor solubility. In others, we had taken up the information about vitamin and minerals, tea catechins, DHA and EPA, cooking oils to reduce body fat, collagen, etc. Findings in these studies present the opportunities for the pharmacists to provide the significant positive impact on health care outcomes and costs to patients. © 2009 The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.