Table 5 Quotes from participants regarding the acceptability of the framework

The framework is acceptable and compatible with practice

1

I think generally pharmacists are time poor and stressed and overburdened, so anything that can make something more simplified and streamlined with clear-cut expectations is useful. (D7P12-F)

2

I would say [the framework is acceptable], particularly with, yeah, treating it along the lines of an S2 or an S3 [over-the-counter products]. So front-shop staff can talk to the patients about it. If there’s any further queries, the pharmacist can be involved, but they don’t automatically have to come down and talk to them if it’s not something that there’s any questions about. (D7P11-F)

The public health argument

3

I think the reason that pharmacies should sell their complementary medicine is not because there is a market. I think people, instead of going to the health food store to get their complementary medicine, they should come to the pharmacy because there is a better chance that the pharmacies can find out if there’s any interaction for people with some actual medications. But I know most of my customers. I know exactly what they are taking. If they come and someone on warfarin asks me for some complementary medication, I just quickly before going and checking their medical history, I know that that’s not the right thing to give to the person. But if that person goes to the health food store and buy it there, there is no way that they can figure it out. So I think they should be always at the pharmacy because people should think to go to pharmacy to get their complementary medicine because that way they are going to be protected and lots of trauma is going to be stopped. (D1P1-I)

A threat to the acceptability of the framework with a response from another participant

4

I would say consumers mostly view [complementary medicines] as an item of commerce. You buy them like you buy bread and milk, in some instances, for some of them. So you’ve now imposed this cost on us providing evidence, but in order to do that, we have to mark the product up more. Then you’ve got this two-tiered system. (D5P7-F)

5

I think that having the degree means that… people come for a higher level of service and understanding than what they can get in the supermarket. And that’s part of what differentiates us professionally. And that’s part of why it’s still called a pharmacy and not a supermarket. I’m comfortable that I would actually be probably more comfortable practising where the TGA [Therapeutic Goods Administration] just says, “Yes, that is safe to take.” And then the pharmacist makes the clinical judgement and says, “Well, this may not be the best product for you.” I think that that’s literally our goal. (D5P9-F)