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CAM and Pharmacy
As the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) rises within the United States and around the world Schools of Pharmacy are offering elective and required courses on the products involved and their uses. The National Health Interview Surveys found a mean of 33.6% adults in the United States used some form of CAM based on data collected every five years in 2002, 2007, and 2012. The National Health Interview Surveys found that over a ten year span, the most commonly used form of CAM in the United States were natural dietary products other than vitamins or minerals. There is a common misconception that all natural supplements are safe to take alongside pharmaceuticals, pushing pharmacists to learn about CAM and possible interactions. Schools of Pharmacy in the United States are implementing Complementary and Alternative Medicine into their curricula to better serve their patients and support optimal health.

In 2004 a group of clinical professors and pharmacists published an article on the analysis of a 2002 survey that determined which Complementary and Alternative topics were taught within American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. The survey included all AACP schools as well as those in the process of becoming accredited, with a total of 85 schools. After contacting 85 schools by phone, 64 (75%) of the pharmacy schools replied. Figure 1 is a visual representation of which CAM topics were taught within the AACP schools showing percentages as blue bars and counts above the corresponding bars. From the survey they found most AACP Schools of Pharmacy had courses on Herbals (70%) and Homeopathy (52%). The AACP schools focused on CAM treatments that directly impact the field of pharmaceuticals as botanical and herb use rises. Consumers see herbal products and natural vitamins as less dangerous than pharmaceuticals although many can have harmful interactions with pharmaceutical products. Research shows that 16% of pharmaceutical consumers also use herbal supplements and vitamins, often without telling their care providers. Figure 1 illustrates one way that AACP Schools of Pharmacy are working with CAM to serve and protect their patients.

[[File:Complementary_and_Alternative_Medicine_Topics_Offered_in_64_AACP_Schools.png|thumb|674x674px|*Other includes topical areas mentioned in the body that are taught/discussed at very few schools. (AACP) American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. Figure 1. In 2002, 85 AACP Schools of Pharmacy were contacted via telephone survey (Survey B). n=64 (75%) of AACP schools responded to the survey. This graph shows percentage and count of each topic reported among the surveyed schools.

Data Reported By: Shields, Kelly M., Arjun Dutta, Monika N. Daftary, Patricia Ayuk-Egbe, Cydney E. McQueen, and Patrick J. Bryant. 2004. "Natural Product and CAM Education in U.S. Pharmacy Schools: Comparison and Results of Two National Surveys." Journal Of Pharmacy Teaching 11, no. 2: 1. ]]