Demographics

Gender: ○Male ○Female

2.Age (in years) Yr.

3.Your highest education ○Diploma ○Pharmacy Sciences Bachelors ○PharmD ○Master’s degree ○Doctorate degree or higher

4.Country of highest education ○UAE ○Others (please specify)

5.Experience (in years): Yr.

6.Location of your pharmacy: ○Abu Dhabi ○Dubai ○Ajman ○Ras Al Khaimah ○Sharjah ○Umm Al Quwain ○Fujairah

7.Type of the pharmacy: ○Community pharmacy, Chain pharmacy ○Community pharmacy, Individual pharmacy ○Hospital pharmacy

8.Number of prescriptions per day in your pharmacy ○Less than 10 prescriptions ○10–19 prescriptions ○20–30 prescriptions ○More than 30 prescriptions

9.What is your sources of information on Probiotics (select all apply) ○Books and magazines ○Media (TV, Radio) ○Social media ○Attending conferences and webinars ○Marketing campaigns of the probiotics manufacturers ○At workplace ○Journal articles ○Information leaflet ○Others

Knowledge

10.Indicate your answer for the following statements (yes, no, not sure) (a)Probiotics consist of live microorganisms that are helpful when consumed each with specific health benefits. (b)Yogurt is a natural source of beneficial bacteria. (c)Bacteria commonly used as probiotics. (d)Lactobacillus acidophilus is used as a probiotic. (e)Oral probiotics is the most effective dosage form

11.Indicate your answer for the following statements (yes, no, not sure) (a)Probiotics are used to boost the human immune system (b)Probiotics are used in treating gastrointestinal disorders (GERD, IBS) (c)Probiotics are used to reduce the risk of traveler’s diarrhea. (d)Probiotics are used to resolve allergy symptoms. (e)Probiotics are used to improve the respiratory tract system immunity. (f)Probiotics are used to reduce the recurrence of urinary tract infections. (g)Probiotics are used for the overall health of the cardiovascular system. (h)Probiotics are used to alleviate depression symptoms. (i)Probiotics are used to improve oral health. (j)Probiotics are used for overall vaginal health.

12.The available probiotics dosage forms in the pharma market are (select all apply) (a)Tablets (b)Capsules (c)Suppositories (d)Nasal spray (e)Semisolids (gel, creams) (f)Liquid dosage form. (g)Powder form. (h)Topical cream/gel/spray

13.Which type of probiotic may you recommend for patients using antibiotics to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea (a) Lactobacillus rhamnoses (b) Saccharomyces cerevisiae (c) Streptococcus pyogenes (d) Escherichia coli

14.The available probiotic delivery systems in the pharma market are (select all apply) (a)Nanoparticles (b)Liposomes (c)Microcapsules

Perception

15.To what extent do you agree with the following statement? (Agree, strongly agree, Neutral, Disagree, strongly disagree) (a)I think probiotics are safe to be used for all ages. (b)I think probiotics are safe to be used for pregnant and lactating women. (c)I think the probiotics oral dosage form is the most effective form. (d)I believe that the public is aware of the benefits and usage of probiotics. (e)I think that the public is using the probiotics optimally. (f)I would benefit from education or workshops related to the use of probiotics. (g)I recommend probiotics without any concerns.

Practice

16.What is the frequency of selling the probiotics in your pharmacy (during the last year) (a)Daily (b)2–3 times a week (c)Once a week (d)Less than once a week.

17.How often you recommend your patients to use probiotics to boost their immune system: (a)Always (b)Often (c)Sometimes (d)Rarely (e)Never

18.When do you advise your patients to take probiotics in relation to meals? (a)Before meals (b)After meals (c)With meals (d)Irrespective of meals

19.What storage condition of the probiotic’s instruction do you emphasize to patients? (a)Keep them in the refrigerator. (b)Store them in a dry, cold area. (c)Leave them in direct sunlight. (d)Depends on the dosage form. (please specify)

20.When a patient reaches you asking about probiotics, what is your advice: (a)Prescribe a proper probiotic for the patient’s condition. (b)Ask the patient to follow up with the physician. (c)Recommend the patient to rely on natural resources of the probiotics.

21.When discussing probiotics with patients, what common misconceptions have you encountered? (Select all that apply.) (a)Probiotics are harmful to health (b)Probiotics are only helpful for digestive issues (c)All probiotics are the same (d)Probiotics can replace a healthy diet (e)Probiotics can cure any health problem (f)Probiotics are ineffective

22.For which condition you frequently prescribe Probiotics: (a)Gastrointestinal diseases. (b)Vaginal infection (c)Allergies (d)Other (please specify)

23.Which probiotic dosage forms are most requested by patients in your pharmacy? (a)Tablets (b)Capsules (c)Suppositories (d)Nasal sprays (e)Semisolids (gels, creams) (f)Liquid dosage forms (g)Powder form

24.What do you consider when recommending a specific probiotic dosage form to a patient? (Select all that apply.) (a)The specific health condition the probiotic is intended for (b)Ease of administration (c)Potential for interactions with other medications (d)financial constraints

25.For which patient groups do you recommend liquid probiotics? (Select all that apply.) (a)Infants and young children (b)Elderly patients (c)Patients with difficulty swallowing pills (d)Patients with acute gastrointestinal issues

Barriers

26.What do you think of the following could be a barrier to the optimum use of probiotics in the UAE. (a)Lack of recommendations by the physicians. (b)Lack of demand by the public. (c)High cost of probiotics (d)Poor patient compliance towards specific probiotic dosage forms (e)Lack of insurance coverage of probiotics