A qualitative study of herbal medicine use in the Ukraine: implications for US pharmacy practice

Half of nearly all new immigrants in the United States come from only 10 countries, including the Ukraine. Immigrants bring facets of their culture to their new country; therefore, it is important for health care providers to have an appreciation and understanding of cultural differences in regard to the use of herbal medicine.

To determine health care provider and patient preferences for herbal versus synthetic medications, health care provider didactic training in pharmacognosy and trends in herbal medication use in the Ukraine.

Ten health care providers, pharmacists and physicians, were interviewed to determine their views on herbal medicine use in Ukraine using semistructured in-depth face-to-face interviews.

Ukrainian practitioners and patients viewed herbal medicines as safer than synthetic drugs, appropriate and preferable for use in chronic and preventative programs. Synthetic drugs were viewed as more desirable for use in the acute setting. Preference for synthetic versus herbal medication was not price driven.

The inclusion of pharmacognosy training in the US pharmacy curricula is recommended to facilitate US health care professional's ability to provide pharmaceutical care both to new US immigrants and to the increasing number of US citizens utilizing herbal medications.