Question

Do you feel that supplements should be regulated by the FDA? If so, and it becomes necessary to have a prescription, who should be writing these prescriptions? Medical physicians? Naturopaths? Nutritionists? Herbalists? How will these practitioners educate themselves on these topics?

Answer 1

US Food and drug administration protect and promote public health by regulating products like tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and non prescription drugs, vaccines, blood transfusions, medical devices, cosmetics, animal food and veterinary products.

I feel that the FDA should regulate the supplements the same way as drugs. Now a days most of the population consumes supplements in form of multivitamins and proteins. Due to lack of FDA regulation the supplement makers add ingredients that are not good for health without any prior research. They also make various false claims regarding the health.

Due to lack of FDA regulation supplements lack appropriate research to test its effect on health and any kind of adverse effects. This poses the risk to health of consumers.

FDA should permit physicians and nutritionist to prescribe supplements after proper patient assessment. They can evaluate the patients need for supplements by testing for level of different nutrition in the body and prescribe accordingly.

They can educate themselves on supplements through various articles available on internet about different supplements. FDA site also provide information on ideal supplements.