Medicine-whether in the form of natural supplements or pharmaceuticals-is big business indeed. With profit margins that are nearly four times the common of any other business, the pharmaceutical industry enjoys a high position being amongst the most profitable businesses on the planet.
The nutraceutical industry is not far behind offering stiff competition to pharmaceutical counterparts. Research is booming and science-based studies have given successful impetus to the plant-based product industry. Some of the popular botanicals like as Echinacea, gingko biloba, ginseng, garlic, and St. John’s Wort are seeing sales that put them in the same league with many prescription drugs. In fact, so popular is the health supplement industry that pharmaceutical giants like Bayer, American Home Products, Johnson and Johnson and Boeheringer-Ingelheim have all begun to sell supplements!
What is the Difference?
There is not a lot of a difference between nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals aside from the way in which they’re regulated in america although both are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration. Major differences include:
* Pharmaceuticals that are produced from plant proteins for vaccines and medical treatments won’t be the same as nutraceuticals. The major difference is that pharmaceuticals were created specifically for medical use under a physician’s supervision, and are at the mercy of Food And Drugs Administration approval.
Health supplements don’t need medical supervision, nor Food And Drugs Administration approval.
* Pharmaceuticals need prescription from the certified doctor for purchase. The decision of a health supplements is up to the average person. Health supplements are sold without restrictions at health food stores, grocery stores, drug stores, national discount chains, mail-order and Internet.
* There are no strict regulating laws governing health supplements. Just about anyone can put together a health supplement, notify the Food And Drugs Administration , and put it on the market. In stark contrast, it requires anywhere between 8-12 years for a fresh drug to be approved by the meals And Drugs Administration . Pharmaceuticals undergo intense regulatory reviews by the Food And Drugs Administration .
* Because of stricter regulations, pharmaceuticals have greater proof efficacy and safety. Whereas natural supplements are based on tradition with insufficient proof safety and efficacy. However, best b12 vitamins is changing as new research accumulates to support the health great things about a few of the accepted nutrients. Eg omega 3 fatty acids.
* Pharmaceuticals are patented. Herbs and health supplements are not patented and therefore the profits are limited with stiff competition from all sorts of health supplement manufacturers.
* Pharmaceuticals spend huge amount of money for research and paperwork for a fresh therapeutic claim of an established drug all to satisfy Food And Drugs Administration requirements. Food And Drugs Administration requirements for health supplements are not at all stringent apart from barring them from making any false health claims about their product and adding a disclaimer: “This statement has not been evaluated by the meals and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”
* Pharmaceuticals come with various unwanted effects. Known side effects are required to be disclosed on the label. While natural supplements do not require a report on side effects, there tends to be fewer cases of side effects associated with the usage of health supplements.
Complaining concerning the high cost of traditional medicine and side effects, many people are embracing alternative medicine in the form of health supplements. A written report by the Hartman Group, a respected market research firm called, “The Wellness Trends in 2002” found that Americans are beginning to place the family and a healthy body above the daily routines of life. The type of interviewed many expressed frustration with U.S. healthcare system and wanted more control over their very own health. The report said, “Dietary supplements … (allow) them a means of self-managing their own health … giving them a sense of empowerment,” the report states. This is an advantage over pharmaceuticals.In line with the Nutrition Business Journal fast growth in the nutraceutical market is seen in weight-loss products.
The demand for such products is growing as you consider the more than 120 million overweight Americans and 17 million diabetics that are looking for supplements that increase metabolism, suppress or satiate appetite, and control blood sugar levels. Such sectors in medical supplement industry have gained footage over pharmaceuticals.In America, 60% of the consumers take some type of food supplement and 30 to 40% take herbal supplements. Health supplements are gaining such credibility that many physicians are recommending them with their patients before prescribing riskier pharmaceuticals. Of medical supplement users 95% are satisfied with supplements.In the meanwhile, research is still booming in both industries! Product manufacturers continue to unveil groundbreaking products as new evidence supporting medical benefits of nutraceuticals emerges.