Clinical Pharmacology and Dietary Supplements: An Evolving Relationship

Since their introduction in 1994, dietary supplements have gained a significant foothold in the American health-care system. The fact that almost 20% of US adults spend a total of $14 billion annually on nonvitamin, nonmineral "natural" products(1) is a testament to the popularity of these supplements. However, most consumers, and many health-care professionals, are unaware that clinical pharmacology has played a key role in assessing the safety of herbal supplements. In the process, a productive-though often stormy-relationship has developed between clinical pharmacology and the dietary supplements industry.