An exploratory evaluation of the interaction risk between herbal products and pharmaceutical medicines used concurrently for disease management in Blantyre, Malawi.

ABSTRACT:

Context

The use of herbal products in Malawi remains widespread and culturally significant, often occurring alongside pharmaceutical medicine treatments. As the burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension continues to rise, the potential for herbal-drug interactions (HDIs) represents an underexamined public health concern.

Objective

Evaluate the concurrent use of herbal products and pharmaceutical medicines among patients with diabetes or hypertension in a large health care facility in Malawi and identify potential adverse HDIs.

Materials & methods

An exploratory mixed-methods, cross-sectional study was conducted with 301 patients attending a diabetes or hypertension clinic at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Participants

SUBMITTER: Nyirenda KK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12632214 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature