International Experts Highlight Pharmacist Role In Complementary Medicine

The role of the pharmacist in the integration of complementary and clinical medicine was the pivotal topic discussed by international and Australian Complementary Medicine (CM) experts at the third annual Blackmores Institute Symposium 2016 (August 13).

The theme of this year’s Blackmores Institute Symposium – ‘Integrating Complementary Medicine into Pharmacy Practice’, showcased this important and significant category of healthcare, with the latest clinical updates, research rounds, and scientific reviews being presented to over 260 pharmacists and healthcare practitioners from around Australia.

The opening presentation by Dr Lesley Braun, Director of the Blackmores Institute, highlighted that the role of the pharmacist had changed from dispensing, to playing an increasing role in the overall health management of their patients through greater counselling and provision of professional services.

Dr Braun said;

“The 2016 Blackmores Institute Symposium highlighted the best new research and updates in evidence based complementary medicine, and allowed a range of international and local pharmacy experts the opportunity to share their knowledge and insights with delegates this year.”

Delegates had the opportunity to hear from international experts in the areas of probiotics and herb:drug interactions and pharmacy best practice. These are relevant areas for pharmacists, who are increasingly being placed on the front line of patient care and being asked about complementary medicines.

The Blackmores Institute Symposium highlighted the potential for pharmacists to safely and effectively integrate evidence based complementary medicine into their patient protocols and into their practice in order to help customers maintain optimal health, address symptoms and prevent disease.

Some of the highlights of the 2016 Blackmores Institute Symposium included probiotics, herb:drug interactions, Omega 3s, integrating CM into patient care, guides on the use of evidence based resources, and the latest CM research updates including phytomedicine research into cognitive function, cholesterol management and nutritional research for skin health.

The Symposium hosted some of the world’s top experts in the field of evidence based complementary medicine, discussing the latest science behind popular ingredients. It also presented local industry experts who provided practical feedback about how evidence-based complementary medicine can be successfully integrated into pharmacy practice.

Speakers included:

• Dr Nigel Plummer
  Microbiologist and expert in Probiotic research and development and expert on all aspects of nutrition and the contribution that diet and lifestyle makes to health and disease.
• Professor Forrest Batz
  Associate Professor at Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Hawaii, and expert on desirable and undesirable drug:herb:nutrient interactions and best practice in pharmacy.
• Dr Lesley Braun
  Director of the Blackmores Institute and Adjunct Associate Professor of Integrative Medicine at the National Institute of Complementary Medicine.
• Dr Treasure McGuire
  Medicines information pharmacist, educator, and researcher. Treasure is also a Conjoint Senior Lecturer in the School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland.
• Professor Peter Howe
  Professor of Nutrition Research and Director of the Clinical Nutrition Research Centre at the University of Newcastle. Peter is recognized as an international authority on the cardiovascular and metabolic health benefits of omega 3’s.
• Catherine Bronger
  Pharmacist and managing partner of ChemistWorks chain of chemists, and currently working on an integrated natural health strategy and service.
• Larisa Barnes
  Naturopath and currently working on a PHD with a focus on health literacy and complementary medicine use in pregnancy and lactation.