According to Gram Research analysis, Palestinian pharmacists have moderate knowledge about probiotics and prebiotics, with 58% scoring in the moderate range and 32% demonstrating high knowledge. A 2026 cross-sectional study of 400 pharmacists found that while 85.5% believe these products provide health benefits and 81% are willing to recommend them, significant gaps remain in their confidence and ability to provide detailed clinical guidance based on scientific evidence.
A new study from Palestine surveyed 400 pharmacists to understand what they know about probiotics and prebiotics—the helpful bacteria and fiber that people take for gut health. Researchers found that most pharmacists have moderate knowledge about these products, and they’re generally positive about recommending them to customers. However, the study revealed some gaps in their understanding and confidence when it comes to giving detailed advice. This matters because pharmacists are often the first healthcare professionals people ask about supplements, so their knowledge directly affects whether people use these products safely and effectively.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 400 Palestinian pharmacists found that 57.8% demonstrated moderate knowledge about probiotics and prebiotics, while 32% had high knowledge and only 10.3% had poor knowledge, with an average knowledge score of 21.3 out of 34 points.
Among 400 pharmacists surveyed in Palestine in 2026, 85.5% believed probiotics and prebiotics provide health benefits and 81% reported willingness to recommend them to customers, though practice barriers related to evidence access and clinical confidence persisted.
A 2026 study of 400 Palestinian pharmacists revealed that factors including age, prior education about probiotics and prebiotics, and prescription volume were modestly associated with higher knowledge scores, suggesting experience and training influence pharmacist expertise in this area.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How much Palestinian pharmacists know about probiotics and prebiotics, what they think about these products, and how they recommend them to customers
- Who participated: 400 pharmacists in Palestine, mostly women (66%), young professionals aged 20-29 (74%), working in community pharmacies (92%)
- Key finding: Most pharmacists (58%) had moderate knowledge, 32% had strong knowledge, and only 10% had poor knowledge. About 85% believed these products help health, and 81% were willing to recommend them
- What it means for you: When you ask a pharmacist about probiotics or prebiotics, they likely have decent basic knowledge and positive views, but they may not always have detailed scientific evidence to back up their recommendations. It’s worth asking specific questions about how these products work for your situation
The Research Details
Researchers created a survey and gave it to 400 pharmacists across Palestine. The survey asked questions about their background (age, gender, type of pharmacy), their knowledge of probiotics and prebiotics (using a scoring system), their attitudes toward these products, and how they actually recommend them to customers. Knowledge was scored on a scale of 0-34 points, with scores below 17 considered poor, 18-23 considered moderate, and 24-34 considered high. The researchers then used statistical tools to figure out which factors (like age or education) were connected to having better knowledge.
This type of study is called a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of pharmacists’ knowledge at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. It’s like taking a photo instead of making a video. This approach is useful for understanding what’s happening right now but can’t tell us whether knowledge improves or changes over time.
The study was conducted in Palestine, a specific geographic region, so the results may not be exactly the same in other countries where pharmacists have different training or access to information.
Pharmacists are often the easiest healthcare professionals for people to talk to—you can walk into a pharmacy without an appointment. So if pharmacists don’t fully understand probiotics and prebiotics, people might get incomplete or inaccurate information. Understanding what gaps exist helps identify where pharmacists need better training and education.
The study included a good-sized sample of 400 pharmacists, which gives confidence in the results. However, the study only looked at pharmacists in Palestine, so results may differ in other countries. The study relied on pharmacists’ self-reported answers about what they know and do, which can sometimes be biased—people might overestimate their knowledge or report what they think they should do rather than what they actually do. The study was published in PLOS ONE, a peer-reviewed journal, which means other scientists reviewed it before publication.
What the Results Show
When researchers scored pharmacists’ knowledge using a 34-point scale, the average score was 21.3 points. This means most pharmacists fell into the moderate knowledge category. Breaking it down: 57.8% of pharmacists had moderate knowledge (scoring between 18-23 points), 32% had high knowledge (scoring 24-34 points), and only 10.3% had poor knowledge (scoring below 17 points). This is generally positive—it means the majority of pharmacists have at least a decent understanding of these products.
When asked about their attitudes, pharmacists were quite positive. About 85.5% believed that probiotics and prebiotics provide health benefits, and 81% said they were willing to recommend these products to customers. This shows that Palestinian pharmacists see value in these products and are open to helping people use them.
However, when researchers looked at what pharmacists actually do in practice, the picture became more complicated. While many pharmacists said they recommend these products, there were gaps in how thoroughly they counsel customers. Some pharmacists reported barriers that prevented them from giving better advice, including difficulty accessing scientific evidence and lack of confidence in knowing how to apply this information to specific patient situations.
The study found that certain factors were connected to pharmacists having better knowledge. Older pharmacists tended to have higher knowledge scores than younger ones. Pharmacists who had received specific education about probiotics and prebiotics scored higher than those who hadn’t. Interestingly, pharmacists who handled more prescriptions (suggesting busier practices) also tended to have better knowledge, possibly because they had more exposure to these topics through customer interactions. These connections were modest but statistically significant, meaning they’re unlikely to be due to chance.
This is one of the first studies to specifically look at Palestinian pharmacists’ knowledge of probiotics and prebiotics. Similar studies in other countries have found comparable results—pharmacists generally have moderate knowledge and positive attitudes, but often lack confidence in giving detailed clinical advice. The findings align with global research showing that healthcare professionals need more training on complementary health products like probiotics and prebiotics.
The study only included pharmacists in Palestine, so results may not apply to other countries with different pharmacy training systems. The study relied on pharmacists’ self-reported answers, which can be unreliable—people sometimes overestimate what they know or report ideal behavior rather than actual behavior. The study was conducted at one point in time, so we can’t tell if knowledge is improving or getting worse. The researchers didn’t measure whether pharmacists’ recommendations actually helped customers or whether customers followed their advice.
The Bottom Line
If you’re considering probiotics or prebiotics, talking to a pharmacist is a reasonable first step—most have moderate to good knowledge and positive attitudes toward these products. However, ask specific questions about how a product might work for your particular situation, and don’t hesitate to ask for scientific evidence. If a pharmacist seems uncertain, it’s worth consulting with your doctor as well. This recommendation has moderate confidence because while pharmacists generally know about these products, the study shows they sometimes lack detailed clinical knowledge.
Pharmacists should care about these findings because they highlight areas where continuing education could improve their ability to help customers. People considering probiotics or prebiotics should care because it shows that while pharmacists are generally knowledgeable, there’s room for improvement in how they provide guidance. Healthcare policymakers in Palestine and similar regions should care because these findings suggest a need for better training programs.
If you start taking a probiotic or prebiotic based on a pharmacist’s recommendation, most research suggests you should give it at least 2-4 weeks to see any effects, though some people notice changes sooner. Don’t expect overnight results—these products work gradually by changing your gut bacteria or feeding beneficial bacteria that already exist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I trust my pharmacist’s advice about probiotics and prebiotics?
Most pharmacists have moderate to good knowledge about these products and positive attitudes toward them. However, the 2026 Palestinian study shows some lack confidence in detailed clinical application. Ask specific questions about the product’s strain, research backing, and potential interactions with your medications.
What do pharmacists know about how probiotics actually work in your body?
A 2026 study of 400 pharmacists found 58% had moderate knowledge and 32% had high knowledge about probiotics and prebiotics. However, many reported difficulty accessing scientific evidence and applying it to individual situations, suggesting gaps in understanding mechanisms of action.
Are pharmacists trained to recommend probiotics and prebiotics?
The 2026 Palestinian study found that pharmacists who received specific education about probiotics and prebiotics had significantly higher knowledge scores. This suggests training matters, but not all pharmacists receive this education, creating variable expertise across different pharmacies.
What percentage of pharmacists actually recommend probiotics to customers?
While 81% of the 400 Palestinian pharmacists surveyed in 2026 reported willingness to recommend probiotics and prebiotics, actual counseling practices were variable. The study found barriers including limited evidence access and confidence gaps affected real-world recommendations.
Do younger or older pharmacists know more about probiotics and prebiotics?
The 2026 Palestinian study of 400 pharmacists found that older pharmacists tended to have higher knowledge scores than younger ones, and those handling more prescriptions also scored higher, suggesting experience and exposure increase expertise.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your probiotic or prebiotic use by logging the specific product name, dosage, and time taken daily. Also note any digestive changes (bloating, regularity, energy levels) on a scale of 1-10 to see if there’s a pattern over 4-6 weeks.
- Before buying a probiotic or prebiotic, use the app to create a reminder to ask your pharmacist three specific questions: What strain of bacteria is in this product? What does the research say it helps with? Are there any interactions with medications I’m taking?
- Set up a monthly check-in to review your notes about how you felt while taking the product. After 6-8 weeks, decide whether to continue, switch products, or stop. Share these notes with your pharmacist or doctor to get their feedback on whether the product is actually helping.
This research describes pharmacists’ knowledge and practices regarding probiotics and prebiotics in Palestine and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Before starting any probiotic or prebiotic supplement, consult with your healthcare provider, especially if you have existing health conditions, take medications, or have a compromised immune system. Probiotics and prebiotics are not regulated as strictly as medications in many countries, so quality and effectiveness vary between products. This study reflects the knowledge of Palestinian pharmacists specifically and may not apply to other regions. Individual responses to probiotics and prebiotics vary significantly, and what works for one person may not work for another.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.