WVXU: Exploring the under-regulated dietary supplements industry

Dietary dietary supplements have turn into a $40 billion a yr {industry}, however it’s largely under-regulated.

Michael A. Hegener, PharmD, director of the Wuest Household Pharmacy Follow Abilities Middle and affiliate professor of pharmacy on the College of Cincinnati’s James L. Winkle School of Pharmacy, joined WVXU’s Cincinnati Version to debate how the dietary complement {industry} is regulated, which varies enormously in comparison with drug regulation.

“Over-the-counter and prescribed drugs are literally permitted by the FDA earlier than they hit the marketplace for each security and efficacy or effectiveness, whereas dietary dietary supplements are literally regulated as a sort of meals, not medication,” Hegener stated. “And they’re put available on the market with out having to show security or efficacy to the FDA. So the best way they’re primarily regulated is after the very fact.”

Hegener stated sufferers and shoppers can take a look at product labels to see whether or not merchandise are regulated as medication or dietary supplements.

“If it has a drug details panel, then it’s regulated as a drug. If it says complement details, it’s regulated as a dietary complement,” he stated. “In order that’s one space the place the on a regular basis affected person or client can assist make extra knowledgeable selections and know what their buying.”

Listen to the Cincinnati Edition segment.

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