1. Medicinal plants and natural products in
pharmaceutical practice in Costa RicaAuthors
Hall, V1; Rocha, M1
1Pharmacist at National Drug Information Center (CIMED®) INIFAR Pharmacy Faculty University of Costa Rica1Pharmacist at National Drug Information Center (CIMED®). INIFAR. Pharmacy Faculty, University of Costa Rica
Contact details: victoria.hall@ucr.ac.cr
I.Background
In Costa Rica, national legislation (Decree No. 29315-S) defines natural
product with medicinal qualities as finished products and labeled those
whose ingredient (s) active (s), organic or inorganic from plants, animals
or the kingdom mineral and may contain excipients, presenting with
medicinal qualities
17.50%
5.00%
Once a week
Twice a week
Three times a week
Graphic No.1 Frequency of inquiries about medicinal plants and
natural products received by pharmacists in their daily practice
medicinal qualities.
During 2012, 18.66% of the inquiries received by the National Drug
Information Center (Centro Nacional de Información de Medicamentos, or
CIMED®) were about medicinal plants and natural products.
II.Aims
Describe the type of inquiries about medicinal plants and natural products
that are made to pharmacists in their daily practice and the sources of
52.50%
7.50%
5.00%
10.00%
2.50% Four times a week
Five times a week
More than five time a
week
Never
G hi N 2 T f i i i i d b h i t b t
information they used to resolve them.
III.Methods
_Type of study: Descriptive
_Method: An electronic survey was developed. It was posted on CIMED´s
Facebook page for 2 weeks. The results were tabulated and analyzed.
IV.Results
About 40 pharmacist answered the electronic survey The field they are
10
7
7
5
3
3
1
Lactation considerations
Use in pediatrics
Use in geriatrics
Other
Mechanism of action
Herbal interactions
Food interactions
Graphic No. 2 Type of inquiries received by pharmacists about
medicinal plants and natural products in their daily practice
About 40 pharmacist answered the electronic survey. The field they are
currently working is the following: 42.5% in private pharmacies, 22.5% in
community and public pharmacies (they belong to Social Security or
CCSS), 10% in hospital pharmacies, 10% in regulatory affairs, 5% in
research and development and the other 10% in medical visit and
universities.
The 52.5% of professionals indicated that they receive at least once a
34
20
20
15
15
14
10
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Use
Dosage and route of administration
Drug interactions
Contraindications
Pregnancy considerations
Adverse reactions
Precautions
Graphic No. 3 Health problems associated with the inquiries
received by pharmacists about medicinal plants and natural
week, an inquiry about medicinal plants (MP) and natural products (NP).
The 67.5% of professionals use MP an NP to treat their own health
problems and 15.2% uses at least 1 MP or NP every day.
The 37.5% of pharmacists use the internet (unspecified site) to resolve
inquiries; scientific and objective references such PubMed or Drug
Information Handbook are used by 37.5% of pharmacists and 10% uses
14
14
9
6
6
5
2
0
Cardiovascular diseases
Pain and inflammation
Other
Genitourinary problems
Infections
Skin problems
Eye problems
Ear problems
received by pharmacists about medicinal plants and natural
products in their daily practice
no reference at all. The 95% of pharmacist are interested in receiving
training and updating on the issue of MP and NP.
V.Conclusions
Consultations on MP and NP are multiple and complex, as with drugs.
Based on the results, not all pharmacists have all the information and
t i i t id th ti t di th f th MP d
30
27
24
16
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Obesity
Insomnia
Digestive problems
Respiratory problems
training necessary to guide the patient regarding the use of the MP and
NP, but shows interest in acquiring.
Acknowledgements
Special acknowledgement for the Pharmaceutical Research Institute (INFAR)
and Pharmacy Faculty of University of Costa Rica for their support.