Community pharmacists' perception, attitude, and practice towards herbovigilance: a cross-sectional study in Oman

The use of herbal medicines is widespread worldwide. However, inappropriate and irrational use may result in undesirable health outcomes. Herbovigilance plays a critical role in monitoring and reducing risks associated with herbal product use. This study assessed community pharmacists' perceptions, attitudes, and practices regarding herbovigilance in Al Dakhiliya and Ad Dhahirah Governorates, Oman. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured, validated online questionnaire administered to pharmacists between December 2022 and February 2023. One-way ANOVA assessed the association between socio-demographic factors and perception, attitude, and practice scores. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were applied to categorical variables. A total of 109 pharmacists participated, with males accounting for 51.4% of the participants. Over 80% highlighted the importance of herbal medicine safety due to limited clinical studies; 68.8% expressed concerns about poor manufacturing quality. Perceptions were significantly associated with both gender (p < 0.001) and age (p < 0.05). Undergraduates showed greater willingness to counsel patients (p<0.05), and those with less than ten years of experience were more willing to attend herbovigilance training (p<0.05). While pharmacists demonstrated good knowledge and attitudes, ADR reporting was limited. The findings highlight the need for enhanced training and education to strengthen herbovigilance practices in community pharmacy settings.