Pharmacists' and Community Knowledge on The Safety and Halal Status of Pediatric Medications Containing Alcohol

Knowledge of the halal characteristics of products is essential in evaluating product quality, especially within societies where this consideration holds substantial significance. In this context, the presence of alcohol in medicinal substances can significantly impact consumer preferences due to potential halal implications and safety concerns. Therefore, this study aims to assess the level of awareness and comprehension concerning these critical aspects among pharmacists and the broader community. This study involved a convenience sampling method of 180 participants from the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The sample consisted of 100 community members with prior experience purchasing pediatric cough and flu syrups and 80 community pharmacists. Data collection utilized a self-administered, paper-based questionnaire distributed from April-June 2023. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The study revealed that 76.1% of the community exhibited good knowledge of the halal considerations regarding alcohol in pediatric cough and flu syrup medications. However, there appeared to be a lack of specific knowledge regarding the permissible alcohol content necessary for these medications to qualify as halal. Concerning community pharmacists, they demonstrated a nuanced understanding of both the health risks associated with alcohol in such syrups and the halal considerations, reflecting an average knowledge score of 73.88%. Notably, The community pharmacist did not have adequate knowledge regarding the legally permissible alcohol content limits in pediatric medications, as well as the resulting blood alcohol concentration in children following consumption. This study highlights the imperative for pharmacists to enhance their comprehension of alcohol content within pediatric formulations and actively disseminate this information within the community.