Why Buy Practitioner-Only Supplements (POS) and Herbals ?
Why do I need to spend $40-$60 on an average for vitamins and other nutritional supplements when I can buy products that have the same ingredients for about $30-$40 cheaper online, in supermarkets, pharmacies and health food stores. As these supplements are not subsidised by the Government like pharmaceuticals are, over time it can become expensive.
I agree, it can be difficult for consumers to know the difference between good quality and inferior products and therefore they usually make the choice based on price.
So What are Practitioner-Only Supplements and how do they Differ from Over-The Counter Products?
As the name suggests, practitioner-only products are natural supplements that are not classed as ‘medicine’ as they do not require a prescription from a doctor. They just need to be dispensed by a qualified health practitioner. Medications display an AUST R number whereas vitamins and natural health products and supplements display an AUST L number. To be classified as Practitioner Only they need to be listed and approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Consequently, these products usually have undergone rigorous testing to ensure that they are both effective and safe. As a result, the quality of the ingredients is often much higher and much more effective. Practitioner-only products tend to be more expensive, but on the flip side, there is a greater chance of positive health outcomes. They are not available for over-the-counter sale and can only be purchased at health clinics, with a prescription from a Naturopath or Herbalist.
Indeed, over-the-counter supplements often only contain a small of amount of the active ingredient, may included cheaper and less effective substitutions, and can be less bioavailable to the body. In other words, there is a good chance that they are poorly absorbed and metabolised as efficiently by the body, and as a result the nutrients pass through our system without any medicinal effect. The product might save you money today, but as their effect might be none or minimal, and you might need to consume excess amounts before you start to see any health benefits, in the longterm, you are wasting your money. Additionally, there is a greater risk that they could include dangerous excipients, fillers and preservatives.
By comparison, practitioner-only brands are guaranteed to be regulated and specifically formulated to enhance absorption and increase the effectiveness of the supplement.
In summary, practitioner-only brands are regulated by the TGA, especially formulated to enhance absorption and increase effectiveness of the product, contains higher quality ingredients, has undergone stringent manufacturing processes, and is less likely to have dangerous excipients, fillers and preservatives.
