Abstract

ACCESSIBILITY OF HERBAL MEDICINES IN PHARMACY OUTLETS IN THREE STATES OF THE SOUTH-SOUTH GEO-POLITICAL ZONE OF NIGERIA

Gideon O. Alade* and Kola’ K. Ajibesin

ABSTRACT

It is no longer new that the use of herbal medicines is on the rise and some of these are dispensed in Pharmacy retail outlets. There is a dire need to appraise, in this area, the preparedness of pharmacists who are more knowledgeable in modern medicine. This study therefore aims to evaluate the role of pharmacists in three States of the South-South region of Nigeria in the use of herbal medicines by clients so as to safeguard the health of the populace. The study was carried out using a questionnaire as a research instrument to obtain information from pharmacists working in the Registered Pharmacy outlets in Warri North and South (Delta State), the eight Local government areas of Bayelsa and Obi Akpor LGA (Rivers State). The study revealed that about 86% of pharmacists counsel their patients on the use of herbal medicines and almost 40% of them derive information from the nInternet. Almost 45% of the products were imported from Asia and approximately 40% were sourced from Africa in which Nigeria contributed nearly 80%. The family Zingiberaceae topped the list of the most used plants in the products.

Keywords: Herbal medicine; Pharmacy; Dispensing; counseling.