ONE in three Australian pharmacists recommend alternative medicines that have little to no scientific evidence of working, an investigation by consumer group Choice has found.
Choice conducted a "shadow shop" of 240 pharmacies around Australia, where it asked consumers to request a pharmacist's advice for treating symptoms of stress.
The surveyed pharmacies included Priceline, Terry White Chemmart and Chemist Warehouse.
"When a pharmacist was asked if there was something they could recommend for stress, worryingly 26 per cent recommended products based on Bach flower remedies and 3 per cent recommended homoeopathic products, for which there is no evidence of effectiveness," said Choice spokesman Tom Godfrey.
Bach flower remedies are said to "correct emotional imbalances where negative emotions are replaced with positive...casting out negative emotions such as fear, worry, hatred and indecision which interfere with the equilibrium of the being as a whole."
Bach Flower has been contacted for comment.
The most commonly recommended products were those containing a B group vitamin complex, which has some evidence of effectiveness, and was suggested by 46 per cent of pharmacists visited on behalf of Choice.
"Other frequently recommended products were St John's Wort (11 per cent) and Valerian (15 per cent). However, there is no good evidence they help with stress, though valerian may help with stress-related insomnia," Mr Godfrey said.
St John's Wort is a flowering plant which some studies have shown to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderate depression.
Valerian is described as a sleep-promoting herb, which is used to reduce the time taken to fall asleep.
Mr Godfrey argued it was "deeply concerning" that assurances were given to shoppers without supporting evidence, and that 24 per cent of shoppers were told a recommended product scientifically worked, with little or no basis.
Asked how it responded to the Choice investigation, a TerryWhite Chemmart spokeswoman said all its pharmacies were owned by pharmacists who were "highly trained and exist to serve the health needs of local community members.
"Our pharmacists strive to deliver the best health outcomes for customers as a key part of the broader healthcare system and in collaboration with other trusted healthcare professionals," she said.
A Priceline Pharmacy spokesman said its policy was to encourage its specialist in-house pharmacists to give "only high quality and accurate health advice, based on the best available scientific and medical evidence".
Chemist Warehouse has been contacted for comment.
According to the Therapeutic Goods Association, all complementary medicines sold in Australia are monitored to ensure they are made from safe ingredients and manufactured in compliant premises.
"As the TGA does not individually test these low risk medicines, the TGA cannot guarantee that they work," she said, adding that it conducted random and targeted testing of products and post-marketing follow up," a TGA spokeswoman said.
"Complementary medicines cannot make serious health claims...However, the suppliers of these medicines are required by law to hold evidence of efficacy and when TGA finds the evidence is deficient it will cancel the product from supply."
Last week the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia released its new Code of Ethics, which outlines the values of the pharmacy profession and expected standards of ethical behaviour towards individuals, the community and society.
'Integrity principle 1' of the code refers to a pharmacist's obligation in recommending treatments, stating that they must provide "accurate, truthful, relevant, and independent information in a form that is appropriate for and not misleading to patients."
The principle also requires that a pharmacist "will only purchase, supply or promote any medicine, complementary medicine, herbal remedy or other healthcare product where there is credible evidence of efficacy and the benefit of use outweighs the risk".
President of the society Joe Demarte said the practice revealed by Choice was "not supported" by the revised Code of Ethics.
"When discussing the use of complementary medicines with consumers, pharmacists must ensure that consumers are provided with the best available information about the current evidence for efficacy..."
The Sydney Morning Herald
