Table 1.

Thematic analysis of the qualitative data collected from the interviews.

Codes	Themes
1. Purposes of HMs use by general public	1.1 Health maintenance
	1.2 Self-management of minor aliments
2. Perception about integrative medicine	2.1 A term often used interchangeably with concurrent use
	2.2 Different from concurrent use in which integrative medicine can bring about synergic effects.
3. Perception about the safety of HMs	3.1 Generally safe when used on its own
	3.2 Minimal risk when used with conventional medicines
	3.3 Certain risks when used with conventional medicines
	3.4 Significant risks when used with conventional medicines for high-risks patients
4. Perception about pharmacists’ role in HMs	4.1 Proactive manner
	4.2 Reactive manner
	4.3 Cautious manner
5. Major barriers hindering pharmacists taking up a more professional role related to HMs	5.1 Government Sector
	5.2 Professional Sector
	5.3 Education Sector
	5.4 Pharmacy Sector
	5.5 Pharmacist Sector
	5.6 Research Sector
6. Actions needed to support pharmacists taking up a more professional role related to HMs	6.1 Government Sector
	6.2 Professional Sector
	6.3 Education Sector
	6.4 Pharmacist Sector
	6.5 Research Sector