German Pharmacists Advise Caution with Dietary Supplements

The German Pharmacists Association (ABDA) is emphasizing the need for expert guidance when consumers purchase dietary supplements, drawing a clear distinction between these products and pharmaceuticals. Dr. Kai Christiansen, president of the Schleswig-Holstein Pharmacists Chamber, stated that dietary supplements are legally classified as food products, not medicines.

"Medicines must prove their efficacy against a disease, such as high blood pressure, with clear scientific evidence. Dietary supplements only need to meet one requirement: they must not be harmful," Christiansen explained in "Das Apotheken Magazin." He noted that while supplements are available in pharmacies, drugstores, and online, pharmacies offer the unique benefit of personal consultation from their teams.

This expert advice is crucial because not all supplements are beneficial, and some may interact with existing medications. Christiansen cited an example where calcium supplements could render osteoporosis medications ineffective. He also pointed to variations in magnesium supplements, where different compounds like oxide, carbonate, or orotate contain varying amounts of elemental magnesium, requiring knowledgeable advice.

ABDA strongly advises consumers to consult with a pharmacist before buying supplements, especially if they have heard claims of them treating serious illnesses like cancer or dementia. The association dismisses such assertions as misleading and stresses that supplements cannot replace scientifically proven medical treatment.