Exploring the Interface Between Complementary Medicine and Community Pharmacy in Malaysia: A Survey of Pharmacists

Wong PN, Braun LA, Paraidathathu T

Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine, 2018; 18(1): 130–138

Affiliations: University of Malaya; Blackmores Institute, NSW, Australia; Western Sydney University

Last reviewed: March 2026

Background and Context

The use of complementary medicine (CM) has grown substantially worldwide, and Malaysia is no exception. Traditional and complementary medicine has deep roots in Malaysian culture, encompassing Malay traditional medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurvedic practices, and various other modalities. The Malaysian government formally recognised this significance through the Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016, which established a regulatory framework for traditional and complementary medicine practitioners and products.

In Malaysia, many CM products are available as over-the-counter items in community pharmacies. Consumers frequently expect pharmacists to be knowledgeable about both conventional medicines and CM products, and to provide guidance on their safe and effective use. However, the extent to which Malaysian community pharmacists are equipped to fulfil this role had not been systematically investigated prior to this study.

Study Design and Methods

This cross-sectional study used a 41-item paper-based and web-based questionnaire to survey community pharmacists across Malaysia. The questionnaire was developed and validated through a pilot study, and ethics approval was obtained before data collection commenced.

The instrument assessed five key domains: integration of CM into pharmacy practice, attitudes toward CM, the pharmacist’s role in recommending CM, knowledge of evidence-based CM, and education and training needs. Data collection ran through December 2015, with reminders distributed via email and social media. Descriptive analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.

Results and Analysis

The survey revealed a generally positive orientation toward CM among Malaysian community pharmacists. The majority acknowledged CM as a valuable component of healthcare and expressed interest in expanding their knowledge. However, several gaps between attitudes and practice were evident.

Only a small proportion of pharmacists (3%) had formal training in a complementary medicine discipline such as naturopathy, acupuncture, or Ayurvedic practice. When advising customers about CM, the majority considered evidence-based support (65%) as the primary factor in their recommendations. Other factors influencing their recommendations included customer request, product availability, and manufacturer reputation.

Critically, pharmacists did not routinely inquire about customers’ CM use when dispensing conventional medications. This represents a significant patient safety concern, as potential interactions between CM products and prescription medications can have clinically significant consequences. The lack of routine CM-use inquiry suggests that potential drug-supplement interactions may go undetected in the community pharmacy setting.

Education and Training Needs

The finding that 94% of pharmacists recognised the need for additional CM education is striking and speaks to a significant gap in pharmacy curricula. Pharmacists expressed willingness to engage in continuing professional education on CM topics, with most indicating that 1–2 hours per month would be a feasible time commitment. The Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society was identified as the preferred provider (52%) for such training.

These findings align with trends observed in other countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, where calls for enhanced CM education in pharmacy programmes have led to curricular reforms.

Implications for Practice and Policy

The study highlights the need for structured CM education within Malaysian pharmacy degree programmes and continuing professional development frameworks. Pharmacists should be trained to routinely ask about CM use during medication consultations, a practice that could help identify and prevent potentially harmful interactions.

The Traditional and Complementary Medicine Act 2016 provides a regulatory foundation, but effective implementation requires a workforce that is knowledgeable about CM products, their evidence base, and their potential interactions with conventional medicines. Community pharmacists, as the most accessible healthcare professionals in Malaysia, are ideally positioned to serve as a bridge between conventional and complementary medicine.

Limitations

The study’s response rate may introduce selection bias, as pharmacists with greater interest in CM may have been more likely to participate. The self-reported nature of the data means that actual knowledge levels and practice behaviours may differ from reported levels. The study captured pharmacists’ perspectives only and did not include consumer viewpoints or clinical outcome data.