WWHAM questions

Who is it for? Remember, it may not be the customer who wants to take the product. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take herbal remedies without consulting a doctor.

What are the symptoms? This will help you match the product to the symptoms.

How long have the symptoms been present? Anyone with long-term symptoms should be referred to the pharmacist.

Action already taken? This will help you establish what the customer has already tried and whether it helped their symptoms.

Medication? It is important to refer customers to the pharmacist if they have a medical condition or are taking other medicines as herbal products can interfere with prescribed medication.

When to refer to the pharmacist

• Anyone taking prescribed or OTC medication
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women
• Children and the elderly
• If a customer has reacted badly to a herbal medicine
• Customers who request St John's wort.