Healthy Skepticism Library item: 6384
Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.
Publication type: Journal Article
Koren G, Oren D, Rouleau M, Carmeli D, Matsui D.
Comparison of verbal claims for natural health products made by health food stores staff versus pharmacists in Ontario, Canada.
Can J Clin Pharmacol 2006 Sum; 13:(2):e251-6
http://www.cjcp.ca/pdf/CJCP_e251-256F_8.31.06.pdf
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: This study tested the hypothesis that while there are no written medical claims existing for many NHP, such claims are made verbally, giving a false impression that these are proven medical products. OBJECTIVE: To compare the number and type of verbal claims for NHP made by pharmacists to those made by health food stores personnel. METHODS: Randomly selected Canadian pharmacies selling NHP and health food stores were visited and the staff was asked to recommend natural health products for the treatment of hypertension. RESULTS: All health food stores (n=20) but only 4 out of 38 pharmacies (p< 0.001) recommended NHP for the treatment of hypertension. A majority of health food store staff (70%) stated that NHP are superior or equal to medicinal drugs in treating hypertension based on efficacy. CONCLUSION: Unlike pharmacy practice, verbal claims are common practice in health food stores, despite the lack of either written claims and/or proof of efficacy for most of them. These may be a very effective approach given that 30-40% of North American adults are functionally illiterate. These verbal claims are often inappropriate and not evidence-based.
Keywords:
Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Aged
Canada/epidemiology
Comparative Study
Drug Labeling/statistics & numerical data*
Female
Food Labeling/statistics & numerical data*
Health Status
Humans
Logistic Models
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Middle Aged
Naturopathy/utilization*
Population Surveillance/methods*
Prevalence
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Sex Distribution
Social Class
