Pharmacists have been urged by their professional organisation not to recommend homeopathic remedies or other complementary therapies unsupported by evidence.
In its first Choosing Wisely list of recommendations around ‘low value care” the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) says pharmacists “should present clear information to consumers about the safety of and evidence for complementary and alternative medicines and only recommend these products when the known benefit outweighs the potential harm.”
“In regards to homeopathic products there is no reliable evidence of efficacy. All health professionals should take the time to discuss with health consumers, who are taking or considering taking these products, the lack of efficacy and the risks in rejecting or delaying other treatments known to be safe and effective,” said PSA National President Dr Chris Freeman.
NPS MedicineWise Client Relations Manager, Dr Robyn Lindner, said pharmacist medication reviews could play a major role in reducing the high numbers of hospital admissions due to medication misadventure.
“As experts in medicines, pharmacists have the ability to provide specialised review of a person’s medication regimen, resulting in recommendations or actions to help people get the most out of their medicines. Any person taking multiple medicines, high-risk medicines, or who is at high risk of medicine misadventure, including transitioning between care settings, should have their medicines reviewed,” Dr Freeman said.
The six PSA recommendations are:
1. Do not initiate medications to treat symptoms, adverse events, or side effects (unless in an emergency) without determining if an existing therapy or lack of adherence is the cause, and whether a dosage reduction, discontinuation of a medication, or another treatment is warranted.