Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Int J Health Plann Manage. 2021 Jul;36(4):1370-1372. doi: 10.1002/hpm.3177. Epub 2021 Apr 22.
Nowadays, the use of food supplements has increased globally. Among them, there are also plant-based supplements that contain phytochemical extracts with a pharmacological effect and consequently potential adverse reactions. We cannot estimate their safety profile as there are not required evidence-based proofs before marketing. Though European Food Safety Authority is responsible for the risks derived from food supplements, there is not any centralized surveillance system of the commercialized supplements in Europe. Moreover, these products do not rely on a harmonised marketing legislation. The population is exposed unconsciously purchasing them in internet or other places that lack of a professional healthcare. Fragile subgroups like pregnant women, patients with concomitant therapies, are not aware of the risks of plant-based supplements because the education strategies are not promoted enough. In the context of public health, the challenge is to implement measures in order to protect consumers against health risks. Future efforts are required to ensure standardised supplements. European regulatory programs should be harmonised. More clinical trials and toxicological studies should be conducted on commercial preparations. Accurate information sources could assure consumers about the correct use of botanicals.
如今，食品补充剂在全球范围内的使用量有所增加。其中也有植物性补充剂，它们含有具有药理作用的植物化学提取物，因此可能会产生不良反应。由于在上市前没有基于证据的证明，我们无法估计其安全性概况。尽管欧洲食品安全局负责食品补充剂带来的风险，但欧洲没有对商业化补充剂进行集中监测的系统。此外，这些产品不依赖于协调一致的营销立法。人们在互联网或其他缺乏专业医疗保健的地方购买这些产品时，会无意识地受到影响。孕妇、同时接受治疗的患者等脆弱亚组人群并不知道植物性补充剂的风险，因为教育策略没有得到充分推广。在公共卫生方面，挑战是采取措施保护消费者免受健康风险的影响。未来需要努力确保补充剂标准化。欧洲监管计划应协调一致。应该对商业制剂进行更多的临床试验和毒理学研究。准确的信息来源可以让消费者确信植物药的正确使用方法。
