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Druggist For The People

Four score and seven minutes ago (about an hour and a half) your physician brought forth, upon her desk, a new prescription, conceived in best medical practice, and dedicated to the proposition that all generics are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civilian war, testing whether that medication, or any medication so conceived, and so dedicated, can help us long endure. And maybe we can feel good at the same time. For forty years as a pharmacist, I've been building bridges - from the doctor to those in need of important drug information - you. With respect for the listener, and from the perspective that it is better to apply a recommended course of therapy than it is to comply with an ordered course, the goal here is not to provide specific answers about your drug therapy, but rather to help you generate the questions that will that will empower you in this. Toward that end, there will be weekly podcasts, very often with guests who will be "the people".

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Druggist For The People

Supplements - Is This Stuff Actually Working?

October 28, 2025 • Donald Schoeff R.Ph.

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Summary: There are a lot of options in the supplements aisle, because there’s a lot of money in it. Supplements might contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, amino acids (part of protein), enzymes and probiotics, as well as binding agents, preservatives, flavoring agents etc. The label claims for ingredients are required by the FDA to be “truthful and not misleading.” If a supplement label “supports” or “promotes” proper nerve function, or cellular energy, or metabolism, the claim is so nebulous or general that it might be impossible to prove that it was untruthful or misleading. What to do? We try to figure that out in this episode.

Topics:

· Supplements and $$$ 01:30

· FDA Approved Indication – Not 02:00

· Disclaimer 05:00

· 80,000 Supplements 08:30

· Claims: Health; Structure-Function; Nutrient 09:30

· Beware – Research – Communicate w/ Healthcare Team – Monitor

& Follow-up 12:00

* FDA – Reports Problems/Benefits

* Independent Labs = USP, Consumer Labs 22:00

* Utilize and work with Healthcare Team. 23:00

Questions and comments to druggistforthepeople@gmail.com

Donald J. Schoeff, R.Ph.

Host