title: Vietnamese traditional medicine from a pharmacist's perspective.
abstract: Traditional medicine plays an important role in the healthcare system of Vietnam. Vietnamese traditional medicine (VTM) is underpinned by the oriental philosophy and theory of healing. VTM is largely influenced by traditional Chinese medicine, but differs to a certain extent. VTM is largely not evidence-based from a clinical perspective but subclinical research data from the past decades support the traditional use of many herbal VTM drugs. For safe use, knowledge of the occurrence of adverse reactions and herb-drug interactions is necessary. The Vietnamese government supports further development of VTM in a scientific way and integration of VTM with Western medicine. This article first gives an overview of the general aspects of VTM (historical perspective, regulatory aspects, comparison with traditional Chinese medicine, philosophical background, the Vietnamese market situation, quality assurance and formulations), and subsequently focuses on its safe and effective use in Vietnamese clinical pharmacy and medical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. h.j.woerdenbag@rug.nl
authors.forename: Herman J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Woerdenbag
authors.forename: Tuyen Manh
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Dien Van
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Vu
authors.forename: Hung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Dung Tuan
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Thanh Van
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Peter A G M
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: De Smet
authors.forename: Jacobus R B J
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Brouwers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D041743:Herb-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D008518:Medicine, East Asian Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D014744:Vietnam