Students Research in Progress
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
08:30 AM–10:00 AM
Abstract
Introduction: Many supplements are targeting populations suffering from sexual dysfunction (SD). This study was performed to evaluate these products and how they are presented to consumers in retail pharmacies and stores.
Research Question or Hypothesis: SD supplements are deceptive, and labeling may exhibit health fraud.
Study Design: This was a cross-sectional study.
Methods: Ten investigators went to 14 different locations to evaluate SD marketed dietary supplements. The locations evaluated for these products included 11 pharmacies, and 3 vitamin stores. Pictures of products, labeling claims, active, and inactive ingredients were collected.
Results: Forty-five SD supplements were evaluated, with 37 different products identified (duplicates removed). Of the supplements identified, 86% of them had labeling meeting the criteria for health fraud as defined by the FDA. Research on the ingredients listed in these products is now underway to identify medication interactions, contraindications to certain conditions, and how pharmacists can be educated on how to counsel patients regarding these products.
Conclusion:
SD marketed supplements provide deceptive advertising while lacking scientific evidence to support their efficacy and safety. The majority of supplements targeting populations for SD exhibit health fraud on their labeling by presenting their products as being effective to treat, cure or lessen an illness or condition, or provide other beneficial effects on health that have not been scientifically proven safe or effective for such purposes. FDA approved medication labels are required to provide warnings for individuals that may experience harm from their use. The lack of this information and the excessive false advertising on SD supplement labels poses great risks to individuals using these products. Our ongoing research aims to increase the awareness of what is actually in these products and what pharmacists can do to counsel our patients regarding the truth behind these deceptive labels.
Presenting Author
Hailey Murphy BSRegis University
Authors
Alyssa Fukunaga BS
Regis University
Elizabeth Henneman BS
Regis University
Alyssa Herrod BS
Regis University
Cynthia Okanga BS
Regis University
Kyle Powell BS
Regis University
Nicole Weakley BS
Regis University
Nathan Whiting-Wagner BS
Regis University
Daniella Salawu BS, MS, MSHI
Regis University
Leticia Shea PharmD, BCACP
Regis University Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions