A pharmacist has shared three things she would ‘never do,’ and one of them might surprise some people.

Pharmacists are experts in the field of medicine and offer guidance to patients on the safe and effective use of various drugs. Many people turn to their local pharmacy for assistance with minor ailments such as colds, coughs, ear infections, and skin rashes.

With a vast array of medications available in supermarkets, pharmacies, and online, consumers may find it challenging to determine which options are best or where to purchase common medicines. Anum, a clinical pharmacist, shares her expertise in healthcare by creating wellness and lifestyle content on social media.

She recently posted a video on TikTok outlining three things you would “never” catch her doing.

1. Buying branded medication

The healthcare professional expressed that she would never opt for branded over-the-counter medications, including painkillers or hay fever tablets. She explained: “Guys, your supermarket own brands contain the exact same active ingredient as their branded counterparts, so save yourself some money and just purchase the generic version.”

The NHS corroborates that the generic version of a medication will match the branded one since they contain the same active ingredient. The health service often uses non-branded versions because they are equally effective but more affordable.

2. Taking ‘A to Z’ multivitamins

An A to Z multivitamin is a dietary supplement consisting of a variety of essential vitamins and minerals, intended to enhance overall health and well-being by increasing the intake of these nutrients. These multivitamins are heavily promoted on social media and easily accessible in stores, becoming a popular choice for those seeking a quick health boost.

Nevertheless, Anum pointed out an issue with these vitamins. She commented: “So I feel like it’s a huge marketing ploy; generally, these types of multivitamins don’t actually contain a high enough dosage of any one vitamin to provide any significant benefit.”

Typically, these supplements include B vitamins for energy, Vitamin C and zinc for the immune system, and Vitamin A for vision. The pharmacist further added: “Also, if you’re not deficient in something why are you replacing it?

“Better still, get a blood test, see what you’re deficient in and replace that [so] that’s actually going to give you some type of benefit.”

3. Taking advice from anyone who isn’t medically trained

Anum revealed that she wouldn’t accept any kind of medical advice from someone who isn’t qualified to provide it. A person without training will likely lack the necessary qualifications and knowledge to offer reliable guidance.

Seeking advice from someone untrained could also lead to dangerous misinformation. Also, many people resort to online searches when experiencing particular symptoms and occasionally self-diagnose, but this can be potentially dangerous and result in inaccurate diagnoses.

The TikTok clip has attracted thousands of views and likes along with more than 100 comments. One user confessed: “Omg I always take multivitamins.”

Another supported Anum’s position, commenting: “Number two is totally right. Stay away from multivitamins, the dosages are very low plus most of the time they put the cheapest types of each vitamin.”

Others posted responses, including “completely agree”, “amazing advice” and “thanks, great advice.”