Food supplements (FSs) are widely used by the general population and are commonly available in community pharmacies. As highly accessible healthcare professionals, pharmacists are well positioned to provide evidence-based information and guidance regarding their safe and appropriate use. Adequate knowledge of FSs is essential for pharmacists to prevent adverse effects, identify potential interactions with other medications, and ensure rational use. The objective of this study was to assess community pharmacists’ knowledge regarding FSs and their attitudes towards dispensing and patient counseling practices. A literature review was carried out using the scientific databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The following keywords were used: (“food supplements” OR “dietary supplements”) AND (“pharmacists’ knowledge”) AND (“pharmacists’ attitudes”). A total of 789 articles were identified from the electronic databases, of which 31 met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were conducted in Asia, with fewer in Europe, North America, and Australia. Cross-sectional survey-based studies represented the predominant research design. The analyzed studies showed that community pharmacists generally demonstrate insufficient knowledge regarding FSs. Nonetheless, they tend to hold a positive attitude toward the use of FSs and recognize their responsibility to counsel patients on safe consumption. Several barriers affecting pharmacists’ ability to deliver evidence-based guidance were identified, including limited training, lack of basic nutrition education, and insufficient access to reliable information sources. The findings indicate the need for targeted strategies to enhance pharmacists’ competencies and improve the quality of patient counseling in this domain.

Virtual patients (VPs) and artificial intelligence (AI) are being implemented in pharmacy education across various countries in order to learn different techniques to improve communication skills, identify drug-related problems, assess the pharmacist’s role in the self-medication process or assess students’ knowledge acquisition. The objective of this study was to assess the benefits of integrating VPs and AI in pharmacy education, particularly their impact on pharmacy students’ knowledge and skills in self-medication counselling. A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases. Studies focused on the integration of VPs and AI tools in pharmacy education and their impact on students’ knowledge, counselling and communication skills related to self-medication, were evaluated. Eligible studies were full-text, peer-reviewed research articles published in English. No restrictions were applied regarding publication year. A total of 857 articles were identified through electronic databases and 9 met the inclusion criteria. Six studies were conducted in the USA and one each in Portugal, Sweden and Indonesia. Most studies employed a pre–post-study design. Six studies utilized VP simulations, while the remaining three implemented AI-based tools. Key outcomes covered in analyzed articles included improvements in knowledge score, communication, and consultation skills, along with positive perceptions, including increased student satisfaction and confidence levels. Using VP simulations and AI tools in pharmacy education could positively impact students by enhancing their knowledge as well as their confidence and counselling skills.