Table 3

General beliefs towards CAM products, their market and availability of resources among a national sample of community pharmacists in Lebanon (n=310)

n(%)
Strongly agreeAgreeNeutralDisagreeStrongly disagree
General beliefs toward CAM products
 CAM products are effective63 (20.3)135 (43.5)81 (26.1)22 (7.1)9 (2.9)
 CAM products should be sold only in a pharmacies191 (61.6)58 (18.7)21 (6.8)30 (9.7)10 (3.2)
 The use of CAM products should not be limited to patients who have failed conventional medicine therapy77 (24.8)119 (38.4)50 (16.1)41 (13.2)23 (7.4)
 CAM products have less side effect than conventional medicines76 (24.4)87 (28.1)54 (17.4)66 (21.3)27 (8.7)
 Providing information about CAM products is a pharmacist’s professional responsibility170 (54.8)83 (26.8)30 (9.7)21 (6.8)6 (1.9)
Beliefs towards CAM products available in the Lebanese market
 CAM products available in the Lebanese market are well standardised and of good quality25 (8.1)55 (17.7)100 (32.3)80 (25.8)50 (16.1)
 The market for CAM products in Lebanon is well regulated15 (4.8)35 (11.3)63 (20.3)98 (31.6)99 (31.9)
 Media plays a positive role in educating consumers about safe use of CAM products available in the Lebanese market35 (11.3)39 (12.6)63 (20.3)74 (23.9)99 (31.9)
Availability of resources
 Information resources on CAM products are available and easily accessible to the pharmacists87 (28.1)85 (27.4)56 (18.1)59 (19.0)23 (7.4)
 Continuous education on CAM products should be mandatory for pharmacists102 (32.9)90 (29.0)61 (19.7)40 (12.9)17 (5.5)