Best definition of ‘dietary supplement’ according to Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985 R2A(2) ?
“It is an amino acid, edible substance, herb, mineral, synthetic nutrient, or vitamin”
"A manufactured product intended to supplement the diet when taken by mouth as a pill, capsule, tablet, or liquid"
Regulation of dietary supplements: • No pre-approval process unlike medicines • Sponsor ensures quality and compliance with law Currently: • Natural Health and Supplementary Products Bill (NHSP Bill) – now ❌ • Dietary Supplements Regulations 1985 (DSR) Changes to come: • DSR ❌ March 2021 or later • New NHSP bill?
Patients need to be informed if recommended a product with no current evidence of proven efficacy.
Match the interactions: • Calcium-rich supplements + ❌ • Vitamin K + ❌ • St John’s wort + ❌
