Assessment of the Quality of Reference Books on Botanical Dietary Supplements

Community pharmacists in Australia: barriers to information provision on complementary and alternative medicines

“…Studies have evaluated some CAM information sources in terms of their usefulness when answering enquires in a drug information centre [17] and for overall quality [18]. However, no published study has assessed the best sources of CAM information for use in the community pharmacy setting.…”

Availability of and Attitudes Toward Resources on Alternative Medicine Products in the Community Pharmacy Setting

“…Chambliss et al 11 conducted a review of 22 books on botanical dietary supplements that are targeted to pharmacists and physicians to evaluate their overall quality as primary and secondary reference books. Based on their review, which examined factors such as the credentials of the authors, editors, and reviewers; the use of primary references; balance and lack of bias of the information; and the perceived usefulness to practicing pharmacists and physicians, the researchers listed 5 books that met all of their review criteria and that they recommended as primary reference books for pharmacists and physicians: Botanical Dietary Supplements: Quality, Safety and Efficacy 12 ; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database 13 ; The Health Professional's Guide to Popular Dietary Supplements 14 ; Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacology of Herbal Products 15 ; and Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs.…”

A Review of the Use of CAM Therapy and the Sources of Accurate and Reliable Information

“…Chambliss et al reviewed 52 books on botanical dietary supplements targeted to pharmacists and physicians, assessing their overall quality as primary and secondary references. 37 Books judged to have high value provided primary references to support statements and included information necessary to assess the potential for drug interactions and safe use during pregnancy and lactation.…”