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Abstract：
BACKGROUND: The use of finished herbal products (FHPs) among Malaysians today is expanding rapidly leading to a huge market of FHPs in the country. However, the mass production of FHPs in today\'s market is alarming due to safety-use issues that could lead to serious adverse effects. Nevertheless, demands are still high for FHPs as most consumers perceived it as safe to consume as it is made from natural substances as the active ingredients. This study aims to explore the safe use elements of FHPs identified by two stakeholders: consumers and practitioners in Malaysia and further compare these elements with the current regulations.
METHODS: As an exploratory study, its approach is to investigate at an in-depth level of understanding of safe use elements from the involved stakeholders: consumers and practitioners. We had a total of 4 focus group discussion sessions (1 FGD session with consumer and 3 FGD sessions with practitioners) as a method of collecting data from the participants. The FGDs were conducted in local native Malaysian and then being translated by researchers without changing their meanings. Thematic analysis was done which involves methodically reading through the verbatim transcripts and consequently segmenting and coding the text into categories that highlight what the participants have discussed.
RESULTS: From the result, we found that both practitioners and consumers agreed a safe FHP must be in compliance with the guidelines from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH). There are other safe use elements highlighted including halal certification, trusted over-the-counter outlets, and published reports on the safety, efficacy, and quality.
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, both practitioners and consumers agreed that the most important safe-use element is compliance with MOH guidelines, but the depth of discussion regarding the safety elements among these stakeholders holds a very huge gap. Thus, initiatives must be planned to increase the knowledge and understanding about the MOH guidelines towards achieving a sustainable ecosystem in the safe use of FHPs.
METHODS: As an exploratory study, its approach is to investigate at an in-depth level of understanding of safe use elements from the involved stakeholders: consumers and practitioners. We had a total of 4 focus group discussion sessions (1 FGD session with consumer and 3 FGD sessions with practitioners) as a method of collecting data from the participants. The FGDs were conducted in local native Malaysian and then being translated by researchers without changing their meanings. Thematic analysis was done which involves methodically reading through the verbatim transcripts and consequently segmenting and coding the text into categories that highlight what the participants have discussed.
RESULTS: From the result, we found that both practitioners and consumers agreed a safe FHP must be in compliance with the guidelines from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH). There are other safe use elements highlighted including halal certification, trusted over-the-counter outlets, and published reports on the safety, efficacy, and quality.
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, both practitioners and consumers agreed that the most important safe-use element is compliance with MOH guidelines, but the depth of discussion regarding the safety elements among these stakeholders holds a very huge gap. Thus, initiatives must be planned to increase the knowledge and understanding about the MOH guidelines towards achieving a sustainable ecosystem in the safe use of FHPs.
摘要：
背景：今天马来西亚人对成品草药产品（FHP）的使用正在迅速扩大，从而在该国形成了巨大的FHP市场。然而,由于可能导致严重不利影响的安全使用问题，FHP在当今市场的大规模生产令人震惊。然而，FHP的需求仍然很高，因为大多数消费者认为它是安全的，因为它是由天然物质作为活性成分。本研究旨在探讨由两个利益相关者确定的FHP的安全使用要素：马来西亚的消费者和从业人员，并进一步将这些要素与现行法规进行比较。
方法：作为一项探索性研究，它的方法是深入调查所涉及的利益相关者:消费者和从业者对安全使用要素的理解。作为从参与者收集数据的方法，我们共举行了4次焦点小组讨论会议（1次与消费者的FGD会议和3次与从业者的FGD会议）。FGD是在当地的马来西亚人中进行的，然后由研究人员翻译而不改变其含义。进行了主题分析，包括有条不紊地阅读逐字记录，然后将文本分段和编码为突出参与者讨论内容的类别。
结果：从结果来看，我们发现,从业者和消费者都同意安全的FHP必须符合马来西亚卫生部(MOH)的指南.还有其他突出的安全使用元素，包括清真认证，值得信赖的非处方药点,并发表了关于安全性的报告，功效,和质量。
结论：结论：从业人员和消费者都同意，最重要的安全使用要素是遵守卫生部的指导方针，但是这些利益相关者之间关于安全要素的讨论深度存在很大差距。因此，必须计划采取举措，以增加对卫生部在安全使用FHP方面实现可持续生态系统的指导方针的了解和理解。
方法：作为一项探索性研究，它的方法是深入调查所涉及的利益相关者:消费者和从业者对安全使用要素的理解。作为从参与者收集数据的方法，我们共举行了4次焦点小组讨论会议（1次与消费者的FGD会议和3次与从业者的FGD会议）。FGD是在当地的马来西亚人中进行的，然后由研究人员翻译而不改变其含义。进行了主题分析，包括有条不紊地阅读逐字记录，然后将文本分段和编码为突出参与者讨论内容的类别。
结果：从结果来看，我们发现,从业者和消费者都同意安全的FHP必须符合马来西亚卫生部(MOH)的指南.还有其他突出的安全使用元素，包括清真认证，值得信赖的非处方药点,并发表了关于安全性的报告，功效,和质量。
结论：结论：从业人员和消费者都同意，最重要的安全使用要素是遵守卫生部的指导方针，但是这些利益相关者之间关于安全要素的讨论深度存在很大差距。因此，必须计划采取举措，以增加对卫生部在安全使用FHP方面实现可持续生态系统的指导方针的了解和理解。
