Integrating Herbs and Supplements in Managed Care: A Pharmacy Perspective

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Charles Elder, MD, MPH, FACP; Pat Mossbrucker, RPh; Carrie M Davino-Ramaya, MD; Ileana Bez, RD, LD, CDE; Margaret M Lin, MD; Theresa A Terry, PharmD; Emily A Thomas, PharmD; Sean Jones, MD

Summer 2008 - Volume 12 Number 3

https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/07-146

Abstract

Herbal and other dietary supplements are popular among patients. Whether and how to establish and manage an herbal formulary remains a challenge for conventional managed-care organizations. Pharmacists and clinicians depend on evidence-based guidelines to help determine which products (whether pharmaceutical or herbal) to make available to patients. Evidence from randomized controlled trials that supports the use of most herbal supplements is scarce, yet for some supplements, credible evidence supports the possibility of efficacy. Quality control remains of concern for the supplement industry and for patients and clinicians considering the use of supplements.