Community pharmacists’ views on the regulation of complementary medicines and complementary‐medicines practitioners: a qualitative study in New Zealand

摘要

Abstract Objectives To examine community pharmacists’ perspectives on CM s regulation in New Zealand, where proposals for CM s regulations had recently been suspended and where, currently, CM s are only weakly regulated. Methods Qualitative, in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with New Zealand practising community pharmacists are identified through purposive and convenience sampling. Data were analysed using a general inductive approach. Key findings Participants held mixed views regarding harmonisation of CM s regulations across Australia and NZ ; some supported an NZ national regulatory framework for CM s, based on the Australian system. Participants recognised the current CM s regulatory framework in NZ as inadequate, that regulation was required to some extent, and that mandatory regulation was not necessarily required. A key reason given in support of CM s regulations was the need for greater assurances around quality of CM s. Participants also supported a regulatory framework that incorporated assessment of the safety of CM s, but were less convinced of the need for, or feasibility of, requiring evidence of efficacy from clinical trials. Participants believed that regulation of CM s practitioners, such as herbalists, and CM s retailers was important, although there were mixed views as to whether regulation should be statutory or whether self‐regulation would be adequate. Conclusions On the basis of these findings, pharmacists would be expected to welcome proposals for national regulations for CM s in NZ : such regulations should address concerns regarding product quality, inappropriate health claims and supporting evidence, and therefore should support pharmacists in meeting their obligations under the NZ Pharmacy Council's Code of Ethics.