Table 1 Additional comments by the CPs under each theme

Process of providing information to patients

• So, what kind of range of skin condition people come for actually ranges from eczema, which I feel there is a need for corticosteroids. Some actually just come just because of insect bite, and they demand for corticosteroids and also some people who just have like simple rashes, they'll just say like, oh, I used to use these. So, I want it at the kind of skin conditions they will just come and ask for it. (CP5)

Major issues addressed by CPs during counselling

• I will explain to them the pros and cons of using the steroid medication and of course I'm, I also always think I always without fail I always provide a bit of education with regards to the strength of the steroid and whether it's suitable for their condition or not. (CP4)

• So, let's say in terms of noncompliance. Maybe they don't, the patients don't really tell me why they don't use it, but I would try to explain to them that it's necessary to for the symptoms to subside by using these medicines. So sometimes, maybe the patient might feel, because it's a steroid and because it has a bad reputation among their circle, so they refused to use it. Or on the other end when they overuse it, they usually don't realize that they shouldn't use it for extended periods of time. (CP2)

Challenges faced during counselling

• Normally it's better if we can bring them to a consultation room and then ask all the necessary questions for the condition that to get more in depth understanding. But not feasible. It would be good to do that, and I spend some time asking all the questions related to the skin and then then we can even recommend a more appropriate cream like based on the potency and things like that and have a better consultation but. Yeah, but not feasible. (CP3)

Sources of information used by CPs

• Product leaflet also got but this one. When you study in your university, you should know already. Basic basic. Or you can use KKM (Malaysian Ministry of Health) guideline, the counselling guideline. (CP6)

Suggestions to further improve the quality of counselling

• For this topic, I would say, I really hope MPS, I really hope like we shall deliver each other to each other a better knowledge. So perhaps it can start from myself. Maybe I can start sharing in my in my media. Social media about all this pharmacy related stuff that. So, let's just grow together. (CP5)