Question

The Office of Dietary Supplements, a part of the National Institutes of Health, was formed as a result of DSHEA 1994. What is its primary purpose?

a) To develop new herbal supplements
b) To regulate dietary supplements
c) To promote the use of prescription drugs
d) To conduct research on dietary supplements

Answer 1

The Office of Dietary Supplements' primary purpose is to conduct research on dietary supplements, leading to option d) as correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary purpose of the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), which was created as a result of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994, is to conduct research on dietary supplements. It does not develop new supplements, regulate dietary supplements, or promote the use of prescription drugs.

Instead, the ODS's role is to provide scientific information to the public about the benefits and risks associated with dietary supplements, coordinate research initiatives, and promote the scientific study of supplements to enhance consumer understanding.

This is essential as the DSHEA transferred the responsibility for the safety of dietary supplements from the government to manufacturers, with the FDA overseeing certain aspects of the industry, primarily focused on labeling and manufacturing standards, but not necessarily pre-market approval unless a new dietary ingredient is introduced into a product.