Inside Amish Medicine

 Being from rural Pennsylvania, Amish communities have always been around - from passing horse and buggies to TV shows that dramatize their lives. One thing I have never heard about is Amish medicine. 

Amish healthcare decisions are shaped by the community and church, and they prefer natural remedies and prayer before turning to modern medicine. In one study, 85.7% of Amish respondents in Geauga County, OH reported using supplements. Echinacea and garlic are the most commonly used herbal supplements, while specifically women take vitamin C and calcium supplements daily. They even continue to take supplements and natural remedies knowing they are ineffective or cause discomfort because they are culturally accepted. 

The Amish do not completely reject modern medicine. They use antibiotics, OTC pain relievers, and prescriptions when necessary, but have a distrust towards the American healthcare system because of its lies to for profit and large corporations. Limited health literacy, minimal preventative care, and lack of internet complicate medication use and trust. The Amish do not participate in insurance or government programs, so cost is a major factor in access. Instead of insurance, communities rely on church funded hospital aid programs where families pay monthly fees and the community's total covers medical expenses; However, they do not cover everything and poorer families who cannot contribute as much may receive less support. There is a controversy within the community on these aid programs because they favor the wealthy Amish and does not reflect their value or being charitable. 

A 2021 article by Mylo Wells, PharmD, discussed what pharmacy practice looks like in Amish communities. He talked about how important it is to be culturally aware while counseling because the Amish cannot look up medication information and rely heavily on face to face explanations and printed materials. During a 2019 pertussis outbreak, his pharmacy delivered azithromycin to the Amish communities due to their lack of transportation. Most Amish patients pay cash, so pharmacies work to ensure affordable generics. After the pertussis outbreak, many Amish families accepted the Tdap vaccine because of their fear during the outbreak and Wells' reassurance, however, newer vaccine acceptance is low. Understanding Amish medication use shows how deeply community values shape healthcare decisions and why cultural competence is essential for all pharmacists. 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8431948/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1544319115309377

https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/iowa-pharmacies-cater-to-amish-patients