From the Pharmacy Counter to the Kitchen Cabinet: Helping Patients Choose Quality Supplements

At the start of the New Year, many people set goals around health and wellness, such as trying a new fitness class, eating healthier, or developing a self-care routine. Individuals often look for ways to support these goals with dietary supplements and may turn to their healthcare providers for guidance. As patients head to their local pharmacies to stock up on multivitamins, probiotics, and other supplements, retail pharmacists are uniquely positioned to guide consumers toward quality products at the point of purchase.

According to data from a 2023 survey, 58% of Americans are likely to visit a local pharmacy as a first step when addressing a non-emergency medical concern.¹ This finding indicates that more than half of the population looks to a pharmacist first for health-related advice, positioning these trusted care providers to support patients in navigating other important wellness decisions, such as the nuances of selecting a dietary supplement. Retail pharmacists can proactively educate patients by using credible information that helps individuals better understand the risks that can be posed by drug interactions, misinformation, mislabeling, or adulterated supplements, providing valuable insight on choosing high-quality supplements.

Quality Challenges in the Supplement Market

Unlike prescription medications, dietary supplements do not require approval from the FDA before they are sold to the public. Because supplements are regulated differently and are generally not subject to the same pre-market review requirements as medications, dietary supplements can enter the market without being tested for safety or efficacy, carry false or misleading claims about health outcomes, or list inaccurate ingredients. In 2023, for example, a group of researchers analyzed 25 melatonin gummy supplements from different brands and found that 22 contained different amounts of melatonin than what was listed on their labels.² Findings such as these can erode consumer trust in supplements.

When product quality is not guaranteed, it is essential that consumers receive education from credible sources on how to easily identify quality supplements that have been tested and evaluated by independent third parties. One simple way to do that is to advise them to look for the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) Verified Mark.

Beyond the Label: What “USP Verified” Really Means

The USP Verified Mark serves as a visual indicator that a dietary supplement has been independently tested and evaluated by the USP to confirm it contains the ingredients listed on the label, in the declared strength and amounts, and meets regulatory and industry standards for manufacturing. Products with the USP Verified Mark have been evaluated through USP’s Dietary Supplement Verification Program, which is widely recognized as 1 of the most rigorous independent testing and evaluation programs in the dietary supplement industry.

USP’s unique verification process includes an annual audit of manufacturing and packaging facilities to make sure that they comply with FDA Good Manufacturing Practices, using sanitary and well-controlled processes. The verification process also includes comprehensive testing to confirm that the product:

• Contains the ingredients listed on the label in the declared strength and amounts
• Does not contain:
  • Harmful levels of specified contaminants, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic
  • Harmful microbes, such as E. coli, Salmonella, yeast, and mold
  • Pesticides, if botanicals are present in the product
  • Other product-
  • specific contaminants
• Will break down and dissolve within a specified amount of time so the dietary ingredients can be released and absorbed by the body

The USP Verified Mark can support both healthcare practitioners and consumers as they navigate a crowded supplement market, which can feel overwhelming for those who are less familiar with these products.

Educate Consumers, Enhance Trust

As the New Year kicks off with a renewed focus on wellness and patients explore dietary supplements, retail pharmacists have the opportunity to provide guidance as trusted sources for health advice. By helping to ensure that consumers receive credible information that encourages the selection of third-party verified quality supplements, retail pharmacists can further strengthen their position as accessible, trusted providers.

Learn more about the value of third-party verification and USP’s Dietary Supplement Verification Program by visiting Quality-Supplements.org.

REFERENCES

1. Wolsters Kluwer’s Pharmacy Next survey shows 58% of Americans likely to first seek non-emergency healthcare at pharmacies. Wolsters Kluwer. Published May 17, 2023. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/news/survey-shows-americans-seek-non-emergency-healthcare-at-pharmacies

2. Cohen PA, Avula B, Wang Y, et al. Quantity of Melatonin and CBD in Melatonin Gummies Sold in the US. JAMA. 2023;329(16):1401–1402. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.2296