Table 4.
Respondents' results for each of the 10 knowledge questions regarding TM products (N = 231).
| Questions | n (%) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Choices of answer | |||
| Correct | Uncertain | Incorrect | |
| (1) Most TM products consist of natural ingredients originated from animals, plants or minerals and are safe to use with no side effects. | 23 (10.0%) | 58 (25.1%) | 150 (64.9)∗ |
| (2) OTC Chinese medicine and western medicine can be taken at the same time. | 64 (27.7%) | 69 (29.9%) | 98 (42.4%)∗ |
| (3) Pharmacists should recommend patients who have always been using TM products composing angelica, ginkgo, garlic or salvia and anti-coagulant agents to cease the use of TM products promptly as concurrent use may prolong coagulation timer and increase the risk. | 182 (78.8%)∗ | 34 (14.7%) | 15 (6.5%) |
| (4) Customers suffering from G6PD deficiency should avoid using the products composing menthol, pearl powder, berberine, honeysuckle or bezoar. | 77 (33.3%)∗ | 76 (32.9%) | 78 (33.8%) |
| (5) Pregnant women can take Chinese proprietary medicine “Niu Huang Jie Du Pian”. | 11 (4.8%) | 6 (2.6%) | 214 (92.6%)∗ |
| (6) Concurrent use of Chinese proprietary medicine composing bile crisp such as “Liushen pills” with digitalis medicines may increase the risk of digitalis toxicity and should therefore be avoided. | 187 (80.9%)∗ | 30 (13.0%) | 14 (6.1%) |
| (7) Traditional Chinese medicine and OTC Chinese medicine such as honey suckle, and so forth, can be used in combination with fungi preparations like Lactasin preparations, for it can enhance the activity of fungi preparation. | 32 (13.8%) | 69 (29.9%) | 130 (56.3%)∗ |
| (8) TM products composing of Glycyrrhiza glabra should be used with caution because it can cause sodium retention affecting blood pressure, stimulate the mucus lining of the stomach worsening gastric ulcer and increase the breakdown of sugar increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia. | 107 (46.3%) | 40 (17.3%) | 84 (36.4%)∗ |
| (9) Chinese proprietary medicines such as “Bo Ying compound” which are marketed for children's use usually compose of heaving metals such as clinnabar and lead, and should therefore be avoided in infants and toddlers to avoid heavy metal toxicity. | 101 (43.7%)∗ | 55 (23.8%) | 75 (32.5%) |
| (10) Concurrent use of Chinese proprietary medicine “Liu Wei Di Huang Wan” can enhance the efficacy of conventional medicines such as aluminum hydroxide or aminophylline. | 21 (9.1%) | 69 (29.9%) | 141 (61.0%)∗ |
∗The correct answer.