Pharmacy Students’ Perception towards Clinical Pharmacognosy Course
Nehad J. Ahmed *
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulsalam Alonazi
College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Mehrukh Zehravi
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Maged S. Abdel-Kader
Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to identify pharmacy student’s perception towards clinical pharmacognosy.
Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in Al-Kharj. The survey contains 2 parts; the Level of the students and pharmacy students’ perception towards the clinical pharmacognosy course. The data were collected and analyzed using Excel software.
Results: About 51.20 % of the students said that clinical pharmacognosy is an interesting subject. About 57.60% of them said that clinical pharmacognosy is an integral part of clinical pharmacy practice but only 28.80% of them agreed that clinical pharmacognosy should be a mandatory part of the pharmacy curriculum. Approximately 68.00% of the students agreed that clinical pharmacognosy provides sufficient knowledge about mechanisms of actions, indications, proper dosing and side effects of herbal drugs.
Conclusion: It is concluded that pharmacy students showed positive perceptions towards the clinical pharmacognosy course. It is important to increase the awareness of pharmacy students about clinical pharmacognosy in order to prescribe herbal drugs correctly and to educate health care professionals and patients about the efficacy and safety of the herbal products.
Keywords: Clinical pharmacognosy, perception, pharmacy students.