Question

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), the Office of Dietary Supplements, and the National Cancer Institute collaborate on herbal supplement research. What is NOT a purpose of their research?

a) To study the safety and efficacy of herbal supplements
b) To investigate potential interactions with prescription drugs
c) To evaluate the affordability of herbal supplements
d) To understand the cultural and historical context of herbal medicine

Answer 1

The research by organizations like the NCCIH and Office of Dietary Supplements focuses on safety, efficacy, and potential drug interactions of herbal supplements, not on affordability of these supplements.So, correct option is (b).

Step-by-step explanation:

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), the Office of Dietary Supplements, and the National Cancer Institute are organizations that research herbal supplements. Their work is aimed at ensuring the safety and efficacy of these supplements, as well as understanding any potential interactions with prescription drugs. They delve into the comprehensive understanding of herbal supplements, including the cultural and historical context of herbal medicine.

However, evaluating the affordability of herbal supplements is not commonly listed as a focus for their research endeavors. The research by these bodies often leads to important discoveries in health and improvements to lives, contributing to the knowledge base on natural compounds and their effects on the human body.

While evaluating the safety, effectiveness, and interactions with other medications is a priority, aspects such as cost are typically not within the scope of their scientific research. Instead, affordability may be associated with broader healthcare economics studies or policy-making decisions, rather than the research these institutions conduct on herbs and supplements.