Food supplements consumption and the role of pharmacies: a north-eastern Italy observational study

Abstract Background & Aims. The inappropriate use of food supplements can potentially cause harms to patients. The role played by pharmacists in advising citizens and purchasing these products, can contribute in improving their safer use but the knowledge, attitudes and practice of these professionals on this topic is still largely unknown. Methods. Pharmacists of the Italian Region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) were surveyed through a 47-items online questionnaire from Sept 2020 to Feb 2021. Questions investigated on knowledge (20 items), attitudes and practice (27 items). Data about sex, age, years of experience, degree, role within pharmacy (owner, employee) were also collected. Results. 232 questionnaires were collected, most of which (71%) from women. The majority of responders had a Pharmacy degree (77%) and were employees within pharmacies (66%) where they have been working for at least 10 years (61%). Pharmacists’ knowledge resulted to be poor with less than half participants scoring above the median value of 11; knowledge was higher among more experienced pharmacists. Larger gaps identified included the possible carcinogenicity of multivitamin’s abuse and the undesired presence of non-labeled components in food supplements. Responders with less working experience felt more unprepared about vitamin’s dosage and groups of patients with particular diseases (p<0.05). Employees reported the attitude of purchasing food supplements under patient direct request more frequently than owners (p<0.05). Conclusions. Pharmacists’ knowledge level on food supplements is unsatisfactory, and the effect of this lack on patient safety is concerning. Young professionals in particular would benefit further education the most on this specific public health topic.