Herbal products: what you need to know, NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service will tell you
Every member of the pharmacy team recognises “the brown paper bag moment”: a patient turns up with bottles, powders, capsules and oils bought from shops, online suppliers or well meaning relatives — and suddenly you’re expected to assess whether these complementary products are safe. Pharmacy staff are often the first (and sometimes only) professionals patients ask about interactions, side effects or whether a product “is okay with my tablets”, yet the evidence is inconsistent, product quality varies, and no single resource gives a simple answer.
This engaging session is designed for pharmacy staff who regularly receive questions about herbal products, supplements, and over the counter “wellness” items.
Delegates will explore the real world challenges of complementary product questions. We then demonstrate how to use SPS CAM tools to structure your thinking, weigh risk, and give clear, consistent advice — including when to escalate to SPS Medicines Advice.

