Hospital policies regarding herbal medicines.

The prevalence and content of herbal policies and herbal formularies in the hospital setting were studied. Drug information centers affiliated with hospital pharmacies were surveyed by telephone. Hospitals with policies on herbal products were asked to provide detailed information about the policies. Of 70 hospitals included in the analysis, 53 (76%) had policies and procedures on the use of herbal products. Three hospitals (4%) reported having an herbal formulary. A majority of the existing policies required a physician order for an herbal product to be used inhouse. Many of the policies also required pharmacists to verify labeled product ingredients. Product administration, patient consent, and drug interaction screenings were addressed by some hospitals. Most hospitals reported having policies on the use of herbal products, but herbal formularies were rare.