Attitudes towards remedies of Complementary Medicine of pharmacy customers and pharmacists

Background Remedies of Complementary Medicine (CAM) constitute a significant part of the German pharmaceutical market. This cross-sectional study intended to give a first overview on knowledge and appraisal of complementary remedies in a sample of pharmacy customers and pharmacists in Germany. Material and methods Based on expert hearings in the run-up to the study two questionnaires for customers and pharmacists were developed. Customers and pharmacists all over Germany were asked randomly to take part in this study. From October to December 2005 a total of 1300 questionnaires then were distributed in Nordrhine-Westfalia (70%), Bavaria (10%), Saxonia (5%), Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (5%), Schleswig-Holstein (5%) and Hesse (5%). Results More than 75% of the customers stated to have used CAM-remedies more than once in the past. Efficacy of CAM-remedies was rated high in more than 70%, whereas 25% believed, that this kind of treatment takes longer compared with conventional medicine. The pharmacist was ranked at the first place as consultant for CAM (50%) followed by the general physician and the healing practitioner. Customers showed significant shifts in attitudes with respect to gender, age, level of education and social status. More than 80% of female, but only 50% of male customers tended to be positive about remedies of complementary medicine. Particularly participants aged between 40 and 65 years were open minded for this topic. For the pharmacists herbal remedies ranged first before vitamins and minerals and homeopathic remedies. In total 80% of the pharmacists affirmed a correlation between level of education and the interest in CAM. A similar percentage judged their advisory skills with respect to CAM as adequate and qualified. The interest in CAM was significantly higher in women and younger participants showed a greater open mindedness with respect to skill enhancement. About 90% of the pharmacists were positive about the efficacy of CAM remedies. Discussion The area of CAM will gain in importance in official pharmacies. Therefore reliable sources of information are necessary for the pharmacist to satisfy the increasing demand on CAM. As a consequence a cross-sectional area of education in complementary medicine should be part of curriculum in pharmaceutical studies. Additionally, independent and certified continuous pharmaceutical education programs for CAM should be developed.