| Abstract (croatian) | In recent years, in most developed countries, the use of dietary supplements in
general, and especially those intended for children is increasing. Despite the fact that
most dietary supplements, especially those intended for children, can have side effects,
legislation puts them in a group of foods, not drugs. Therefore there are not subject
to such strict requirements of safety, quality and efficiency as medicines are. Because
of higher availability, but also because of many other reasons, such as growing increase
of self-care in general and growing concern of modern man for their own health,
the opinion is prevailing that dietary supplements are safe. It is undisputed that the
majority of food supplements for children can have very beneficial effects on their
overall health. However, not enough attention is given to the fact that dietary supplements
may have a positive effect only if these products are used for the right reason at
the right time, in the right dose and in the right way. Do to the fact that children are
a special group that are particularly vulnerable, one must keep in mind the issue of
production and distribution practice, and the use of food supplements should be
approached with caution.
In order to avoid a number of potential risks that the use of dietary supplements
in general especially those intended for children brings, dietary supplements should
be subject to continuous scientific research, pharmaceutical expert supervision and
appropriate legal controls. It is extremely important that the parents themselves acquire
more knowledge about dietary supplements used by their children. Only if all
above mentioned criteria are met, dietary supplements can achieve their optimum
performance.
The aim of this survey was to determine how much parents are familiar with
dietary supplements intended for their children. In addition to evaluating the level of
their knowledge on the composition, purpose and method of use of dietary supplements,
in the present study we investigated the attitudes and opinions that parents
generally have about dietary supplements. Based on the data of the survey conducted
on a sample of parents (N = 415) it was found that parents perceive dietary supplements
as safe. The research results unequivocally confirm the disturbingly low level of
awareness of parents about dietary supplements for children. Such insight is ultimately
a claim for an important advisory role of a pharmacist. In fact, the pharmacist
should play a key role in advising parents to make an informed decision on the selection
and manner of use of the food supplement for their child.
Based on their knowledge, experience and expert assessment, pharmacists will
decide whether there is a need for a certain dietary supplement, depending on the
intended use and indications. If necessary they will recommend a different dietary
supplement, explain in what cases to use it, and for how long, as well as how to use
it. The pharmacist must raise parents’ awareness that dietary supplements contain
active substance and that they should not be taken lightly and that the recommended
daily dose should not be exceed. It is also necessary to point out that dietary supplements
for children, especially those that contain plant extracts, may contain alcohol.
The pharmacist, when dispensing medicines, should make a recommendation what
dietary supplement may contribute to faster recovery, prevent or mitigate side effects
and complications of pharmacotherapy. It is also important that the pharmacist
emphasizes that certain dietary supplements should not be used with a certain drug
because of possible interactions.
In the end, it is necessary to point out that the pharmacist should play a key role
in advising parents to make an informed decision on the selection of the dietary
supplement for their child as well as the correct way of using it. |
