Integrative Health and Natural Wellness

Integrative health has a rich global history and plays a crucial role in complementing traditional Western medicine today. Pharmacists, as front-line healthcare providers, often face inquiries about the safety, efficacy, and usage of herbal supplements.

In the United States, up to 57% of citizens use complementary medical products such as herbal dietary supplements, non-botanical products, culinary herbs, essential oils, vitamins, and minerals. According to the American Botanical Council's Herbal Gram 2022 Market report, these products cost consumers $12.35 billion out of pocket in 2021. While pharmacists are well-positioned to advise patients on dietary supplements, their ability to do so is hampered because the FDA does not regulate these products for safety and efficacy as it does for conventional prescription and over-the-counter products.

The rise of internet-based marketing and third-party promotion of dietary supplements further complicates pharmacists' ability to provide informed guidance. Even when peer-reviewed data support the use of a specific dietary supplement for a therapeutic area, a 2019 survey revealed that pharmacists often feel powerless regarding product quality since they typically do not make stocking decisions.

This three-part series aims to help busy professionals identify reliable sources of dietary supplement information and herbal remedies, offering appropriate cautions for drug-supplement interactions and considerations for special or vulnerable populations.