National survey of dietary supplement policies in acute care facilities

Abstract

A survey of pharmacy directors in acute care facilities revealed that many had no formal policy regarding dietary supplements and had not implemented planning for such a policy.

Dietary Supplements: Inpatient Policies in US Children's Hospitals

“…Pharmacy directors have reported concerns about the lack of active ingredient consistency, difficulty in identifying reputable manufacturers, difficulties in identifying DSs, and lack of premarketing safety and efficacy reviews. 17 Similar to previous studies of adult institutions, only 58% of our respondents reported including proof of a DS's quality before adding it the formulary. 17,18 The lack of standards for quality (free of adulterants or contaminants) and variation in the quantity of active ingredients in DSs are major concerns in the United States.…”

“…17 Similar to previous studies of adult institutions, only 58% of our respondents reported including proof of a DS's quality before adding it the formulary. 17,18 The lack of standards for quality (free of adulterants or contaminants) and variation in the quantity of active ingredients in DSs are major concerns in the United States. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] However, the FDA has just released the final rule on good manufacturing practices for DSs made in the United States that will go into affect in 2008.…”

“…For example, some hospitals confiscate patients' DSs, and others expressly prohibit their use. 17,31 Most (84%) of the pediatric institutions in this current study allowed inpatients to use their home supply of DSs.…”

“…17,32 The requirement for a physician order for patients to use a home supply seems to have emerged as a national standard, provoking the question of physicians' training and confidence in making evidence-based decisions about such use. 17,33 Previous research suggests that few health care professionals routinely ask about their patient's use of DSs or feel knowledgeable about DSs. 33,34 Ideally, hospitals have standards requiring safe storage and administration of DSs in the inpatient setting.…”

A pilot study to compare natural health product–drug interactions in two databases in Canada

“…Cook et al surveyed the use of complementary medications in hospital practice in Canada and concluded that the use of complementary medications on general medicine wards appeared to be low, whereas the preadmission use of complementary medications appeared common [10]. Based on a US national survey, Bazzie et al [11]. reported that many facilities lacked formal policies on dietary supplement use.…”