The usage of dietary supplements by consumers has
increased significantly in the last few years, creating a need for
physicians and pharmacists to incorporate supplements into their
practices and stores. In addition, many consumers look to health
professionals to supply them with education and product
information on dietary supplements. Because the supplement
industry is so vast and encompasses such a diverse number of
products, it would be ludicrous to expect health professionals to
have a working understanding of all of the clinical relevance,
side effects, contraindications or pharmacokinetics of every
product available. Alternatively, marketers of supplements spend a
great deal of time and money substantiating product claims through
scientific literature and ensuring that each product is safe and
effective through independent quality testing. Supplement
marketers have strong incentives to provide physicians and
pharmacists with educational material regarding the benefits of
their products, however the FDA policy does not delineate between
health professionals and ordinary consumers. This does not bode
well for the physician or pharmacist who must perform an intensive
search of the scientific research each time a patient or customer
inquires about a new supplement.
In light of this, Symbiotics, Inc. is asking the
FDA to consider permitting the use of health claims to be made in
labeling and educational collateral directed to health
professionals so long as they are accompanied by full research
citations to peer reviewed scientific literature. If this
information was displayed prominently on the marketing materials,
it would allow physicians or pharmacists to quickly screen each
supplement and decrease their search costs and time. This would
greatly enhance the continued education of health professionals
and subsequently, positively effecting patient care.
Symbiotics, Inc. contends that physicians and
pharmacists are amply trained to evaluate scientific literature
critically, and therefore do not require the same degree of
regulation on dietary supplement health claims as do ordinary
consumers, who may not be able to discern the basis or lack
thereof for the claim.
It seems necessary to provide health professionals
with a higher degree of information on product ingredients, and
the health claims associated with those ingredients. Ultimately,
the responsibility of educating the consumer lies in the hands of
the health professional, and it is our obligation at Symbiotics,
Inc. to educate physicians and pharmacists.
