The Capsule

Abstract

The use of traditional remedies such as herbal medications has always been a part of cultural heritage and history in most parts of the Philippines. As pharmacists, it is our role to ensure that conventional treatments are neither contraindicated nor disadvantageous to various local herbal remedies. The aim of the study is to assess the attitude and extent of knowledge of St. Dominic College of Asia, BS Pharmacy students on herbal medicines. This study was employed using a structured online survey questionnaire given to thirty (30) pharmacy students enrolled in the College of Pharmacy, ten (10) per year level starting from second year until fourth year. A descriptive, cross sectional study methodology was conducted by distributing a prevalidated instrument to Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy students. A 15-item questionnaire was used to measure knowledge (1 = true and 2 = false) and 16-item questionnaire for determining the attitude (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree) towards herbal medications. Of the thirty (30) surveys used, only twenty-seven percent (27%) believed their knowledge of herbal medications was insufficient to practice as a pharmacist. The average herbal medications knowledge score was (10.51.8). Students in the fourth (11.11.4) year had higher herbal knowledge scores compared to second year (9.81.2) and third year (10.62.1) students. However, the average attitude towards herbal medications was similar across all groups, second (3.60.4), third (3.70.4), and fourth year (3.70.4), respectively. As future pharmacists, pharmacy students must acknowledge the need to also learn about herbal supplements and other traditional medicines to be able to serve their patients well.

Keywords: Attitudes, BS pharmacy students, herbal medications, knowledge, St. Dominic College of Asia, traditional medicine.