National Alliance for Hispanic Health and USP to raise awareness of safe use of vitamins
Urge consumers to look for the USP Verified Mark when buying dietary supplements and tell their healthcare provider what they are taking
‘Next time you buy vitamins or other supplements, look for the USP Verified Mark and make sure to tell your health care provider about all the vitamins and other supplements you are taking,’ said Jane Delgado, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health.
‘Many people are unaware that dietary supplements are not regulated like drugs,’ added John Atwater, Senior Director of Verification Programmes at the US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), a global health organisation that sets quality standards for medicines, foods and dietary supplements. ‘When you see the USP Verified Mark on a dietary supplement label, it tells you that the quality of the product has been verified by USP and what’s on the label is in the bottle.’
This is why the National Alliance for Hispanic Health has partnered with USP to launch a campaign to encourage Hispanic consumers to look for the USP Verified Mark when purchasing dietary supplements and to talk to their healthcare provider about the vitamins and other supplements that they use. The campaign includes distribution of the Buena Salud Club infocard, participation in local health events and a toll free helpline for consumers to call to get more health information.
Many people are unaware that dietary supplements are not regulated like drugs
Delgado added: ‘It is extremely important that if you are taking any vitamins or other supplements to let your health care provider know. Taking too much could be harmful, and it could interact with and reduce the effectiveness of your medications, or cause adverse reactions.’
Research published by CDC, AARP and the Annals of Pharmacotherapy shows that 53% of American adults take vitamins or other supplements on a regular basis and that two-thirds (65%) of Hispanics aged 45 and older believe that herbal remedies and supplements are very effective. Of great concern is that 70% of Hispanics do not consult a medical professional prior to taking vitamins or other supplements.
Hispanic consumers use many complementary and alternative medicines and supplements, but often do not tell their healthcare provider what they are taking.
‘It is essential for healthcare providers to ask about and understand the reasons Hispanics take vitamins and other supplements. It is the only way to be able to address the medical needs of the Hispanic patient,’ concluded Delgado.