Consumption and good practices in the preparation of homeopathic medicines in a community pharmacy service

Abstract

Introduction: Homeopathy is a therapeutic modality that has been practiced since the 19th century, being recognized by the World Health Organization. In Cuba, with the development of Natural and Traditional Medicine (NTM), the use of Homeopathy has spread and the consumption of its medicines has increased. Objective: To characterize the consumption and compliance with the Good Practices for the Preparation of homeopathic medicines. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of the consumption type was carried out at the Provincial Homeopathic Pharmacy of Santiago de Cuba. Results: 94.03% of the total sales were through medical prescriptions, among the 12 most prescribed homeopathic medicines were Drossera, Sambucus and Belladona. The specialty with the most prescriptions was Pediatrics with 53.32%, receiving prescriptions from 12 health institutions in the province. Among the errors detected in prescriptions without quality, the omission of potencies and errors in the drug nomenclature predominated in 87.35%. In the assessment of compliance with the rules of Good Preparation Practices, a score of 83 points out of 100 was obtained, classifying compliance in said service with the category of Good. The dispensing of homeopathic medicines turned out to be adequate in 100% of the cases. .Conclusion: The wide use of this therapy in the territory was verified. Deficiencies in the quality of medical prescriptions were detected. The dispensing constituted a factor of positive impact in the patients.