Pharmacy Practitioners' Experiences in Developing Herbal Products for Alternative Therapy: Quality Control and Regulation in Indonesia

Abstract

The increasing demand for herbal products as alternative therapies has raised concerns about their quality control and regulatory frameworks in Indonesia. While the development and use of herbal medicines are growing, there is limited understanding of the practical challenges faced by pharmacists in ensuring the quality and compliance of these products. This study aims to explore the experiences of pharmacists in developing, formulating, and evaluating herbal products, focusing on the regulatory and quality control issues they encounter. We used a phenomenological approach to examine these challenges through in-depth interviews with 15 experienced pharmacists in the field. The findings highlight the significant difficulties practitioners face, including inconsistent raw material quality and unclear regulatory guidelines, which complicate the standardization and evaluation of herbal products. These results provide valuable insights into the practical and regulatory gaps in the herbal medicine sector, suggesting the need for clearer guidelines and better training for professionals. Additionally, the findings underscore the importance of establishing robust regulatory frameworks and targeted educational programs to enhance practitioners' competencies and improve the quality of herbal medicines. This study contributes to the understanding of the intersection between science and traditional medicine and offers recommendations for improving regulatory practices and quality control standards in the industry.