New publication: An exploratory evaluation of the interaction risk between herbal products and pharmaceutical medicines used concurrently for disease management in Blantyre, Malawi

🌿 The Botanical Safety Consortium (BSC) has released a timely new study as part of its Global Outreach Program: “An exploratory evaluation of the interaction risk between herbal products and pharmaceutical medicines used concurrently for disease management in Blantyre, Malawi.”

This work was led by researchers at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences with input from the BSC’s Pharmacognosy Group.

In Malawi and many other regions, traditional herbal medicine is commonly used for treatment of disease or for wellbeing. However, concurrent use of herbal and pharmaceutical products can pose safety risks due to potential interactions—especially for individuals managing chronic diseases.

A survey of 300 patients taking both herbal medicines and pharmaceuticals was conducted in Blantyre, Malawi. Using these results, the authors explored existing literature to identify potential herbal-drug interactions.

Results from this exploratory study serve as a foundation for future hypothesis-driven research studies. Investigating herbal-drug interactions, especially those involving understudied herbal products, remains a key priority, both globally and in Malawi. The approach is designed to support locally relevant, science-based health guidance that respects traditional practices while promoting patient safety.

🔗 Read the full article: Nyirenda et al., 2025. An exploratory evaluation of the interaction risk between herbal products and pharmaceutical medicines used concurrently for disease management in Blantyre, Malawi. Pharmaceutical Biology. https://doi.org/10.1080/13880209.2025.2586351