A missed dose of cultural humility

When medications weren’t enough to control gruelling neuropathic pain after a shingles outbreak, a family member of mine sought solutions elsewhere. Traditional Chinese medicine, supplements, and acupuncture, alongside conventional drug therapy, helped to soothe their pain. I was saddened to learn, however, that they were discouraged from exploring other options by a pharmacist. No questions, curiosity, or context—just a cautionary and overarching “stay away.”Now I understand where this instinct comes from. As pharmacists, our primary focus is on ensuring drug efficacy and safety, including interactions and contraindications. We also know that traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) can result in negative health consequences when used in combination with other medicines, when product quality is compromised, or when they delay or replace more urgent curative therapies where the efficacy of natural alternatives has not been established. But in this case, the pharmacist’s dismissal wasn’t based on a specific concern. It reflected a discomfort with a system of traditional medicine they didn’t understand. In my opinion, this was a missed opportunity for a meaningful discussion and to provide patient-centered, culturally sensitive care. I believe pharmacists need to be more open to traditional and complementary therapies because patients already are. As one of the most accessible healthcare professionals, and often the first line of contact, if we automatically shut down conversations about alternative and complementary therapies, we do two things:We lose credibility with patients who have seen results through those therapies, andWe reinforce the idea that Western healthcare is uninterested in their lived experience.I’m not suggesting we endorse every supplement, cleanse, or herbal remedy that rolls across the counter, but I do think we can do better than issuing blanket warnings. It may be tempting to dismiss T&CM practices, where formal studies are often underfunded or flawed. But there’s emerging evidence for many practices, including acupuncture for chronic pain, yoga for anxiety and hypertension, mindfulness for substance-use disorder and burnout. The World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) 2025-2034 Traditional Medicine Strategy has recently shone the spotlight on T&CM, advocating for its evidence-based integration into global health systems. In response, we may see expanded regulatory frameworks to ensure product quality and safety, greater investment in research and data infrastructure, and a strengthened evidence base to support responsible use. These developments could lead to a wider uptake and more meaningful integration of T&CM into mainstream healthcare over the next decade.More on this: The WHO is trying to make traditional medicine safer and more standardizedFor context, I grew up drinking bitter brews of medicinal herbs as a daughter of immigrants. In my culture, traditional medicines are a way of holistic care and health prevention that’s been passed on for millennia. This isn’t unique to just a few countries, as more than 80% of the world’s population in over 170 of the WHO’s Member States use some form of T&CM. As we enter the era of AI, what sets us apart is not just what we know, but how we listen and care for the whole person. I think people are craving care that feels more human, holistic, and empowering. We can be a part of that shift, or we can watch from the sidelines as patients turn elsewhere. Here are a few small ways I believe pharmacists can show up more helpfully in conversations about traditional and complementary medicine, especially when the evidence is murky:Ask before advising. A simple “What’s your goal with this therapy?” or “Have you had experience with this system of medicine before?” signals openness and cultural humility. It also helps to uncover clinical context, as patients are more likely to disclose herbal use, past experiences, and motivations when they feel seen rather than dismissed. Focus on safety, not superiority. Instead of issuing blanket warnings, pharmacists can say, “Some herbs can interact with your medication. Mind if I look into that for you?” This keeps the conversation clinical rather than judgmental, while positioning you as a collaborative ally. Open-source tools like Memorial Sloan Kettering’s About Herbs can support evidence-informed guidance in a pinch. Brush up on the basics. You don’t need to be a Traditional Chinese Medicine or Ayurveda specialist, but being familiar with a handful of high-use supplements like ashwagandha, turmeric, and probiotics can go a long way. Knowing where risks are likely to arise (e.g., CYP interactions, serotonergic effects) helps you feel confident and credible when patients bring up natural products and protects them from harm.The world of health is evolving, and so are the people in our care. For pharmacists navigating this shifting landscape, how we meet our patients’ interest in T&CM is an opportunity. It invites us to practice cultural humility, to deepen trust, and to co-create care plans that honour the diverse lived experiences of those we serve. In doing so, we step more fully into our training, adapting our expertise to meet the needs of today’s patients in a more connected, human way.

A missed dose of cultural humility

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