6-3 Pharmaceutical Drugs vs Supplements

Part One: Warm Up

• Pharmaceutical drugs
  • A pharmaceutical drug (also referred to as medicine, medication, or simply as drug) is a drug used to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent disease. Drug therapy (pharmacotherapy) is an important part of the medical field and relies on the science of pharmacology for continual advancement and on pharmacy for appropriate management.
• Supplements
  • A dietary supplement is either intended to provide nutrients in order to increase the quantity of their consumption, or to provide non-nutrient chemicals which are claimed to have a biologically beneficial effect. Supplements as generally understood include vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids, or amino acids, among other substances. U.S. authorities define dietary supplements as foods, while elsewhere they may be classified as drugs or other products. There are more than 50,000 dietary supplements available. More than half of the U.S. adult population (53% – 55%) consume dietary supplements with most common ones being multivitamins. These products are not intended to prevent or treat any disease and in some circumstances are dangerous, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. For those who fail to consume a balanced diet, the agency says that certain supplements "may have value."

Discussion questions:

• What is the difference between a drug and a supplement?
• Are drugs and supplements treated as similar or different substances in your country?
• Do a lot of people take supplements? Why do you think some people choose to take supplements?
• What are some benefits and drawbacks of pharmaceutical drugs? 
• What are some benefits and drawbacks of supplements?

Part Two: Video