Characteristics of Herbal Medicine Users and Adverse Events Experienced in South Korea: A Survey Study
Table 6
Behaviours and opinions related to herbal medicine after experiencing adverse events.
Question (number of respondents)
Response
(%)
Did you report adverse events?
Yes
14 (30.4)
No
32 (69.6)
To whom did you report adverse events
TKM institution
10 (71.4)
WM institution
3 (21.4)
Pharmacy
3 (21.4)
Public health centre
2 (14.3)
Ministry of Health and Welfare
2 (14.3)
Korea Consumer Agency
1 (7.1)
KIDS
1 (7.1)
MFDS
1 (7.1)
Why did you not report adverse events?
I did not know where to report
20 (62.5)
I felt it was unnecessary
7 (21.9)
I felt lazy
5 (15.6)
How did you deal with adverse events
Consulted with TKM doctors
20 (43.5)
Nothing specific
13 (28.3)
Requested refund
12 (26.1)
Consulted with WM doctors
7 (15.2)
Consulted with pharmacist
3 (6.5)
What did you think after the adverse events?
I need to see an expert
17 (37.0)
Drugs can have adverse events and I am going to continue taking herbal medicines
14 (30.4)
I cannot trust herbal medicines anymore and I am not going to take herbal medicines
13 (28.3)
I do not know
2 (4.3)
responses possible. TKM: traditional Korean medicine; WM: western medicine; KIDS: Korea Institute of Drug Safety and Risk Management; MFDS: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.