Expert consensus on the availability and consumption of herbal medicinal products in Thai pharmacies: An e-Delphi study

Introduction: Despite the growing use of herbal medicinal products (HMPs) in Thailand, factors relevant to their availability and consumption in pharmacies remain insufficiently characterized. Pharmacies and healthcare professionals may play important roles in improving the availability and promoting their appropriate use. Methods: A three-round e-Delphi study was conducted among 30 multidisciplinary experts to identify and establish consensus on factors considered relevant to the availability and consumption of HMPs in pharmacies across Thailand. Experts rated the relevance and impact of each factor using a 7-point Likert scale. Consensus was defined as a Quality of the Lower Approximation (QL) score ≥ 0.75. Results: Of the 34 factors assessed, 25 reached consensus across four domains: (1) herbal medicinal products, (2) product information, (3) professional responsibilities, and (4) pharmacy operations. The National List of Essential Herbal Drugs received the highest consensus score (QL = 1.00). All nine product information factors reached consensus. Professional factors reaching consensus included product recommendation, knowledge of HMP categories, and knowledge of evidence-based efficacy and safety. Pharmacy-related factors reaching consensus included pharmacy type, business model, participation in national health programs, and location. Conclusion: Expert consensus identified a set of factors considered relevant to HMP availability and consumption in Thai pharmacies. These findings provided a framework for future empirical studies and may inform policies and interventions related to product information, professional competency, and pharmacy operations.