Survey: Supplement users fear Rx drugs

Drug Store News, March 25, 2002 by Diane West

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. -- As many as one-third of dietary supplement users may shun the use of prescription drugs because they fear potential side effects, according to a recent survey from Hartman Interactive, a Bellevue, Wash.-based market research and consulting firm.

In addition, of the 3,226 respondents drawn from ConsumerLab.com's database, 25 percent said they stayed away from prescription drug therapy because they don't think prescription drugs are safe.

Among those surveyed, 67 percent said they took supplements to maintain optimum general health." Other common conditions for which respondents said they took dietary supplements included: preventing colds (53 percent), treating osteoarthritis (39 percent), increasing energy (37 percent), reducing cholesterol levels (29 percent), preventing cancer (28 percent), managing allergies (27 percent) and weight management (25 percent). More than one-half said they used supplements to treat as many as five or more conditions.

Only 36 percent of respondents had used a prescription medication to treat or prevent a condition for which they also used a supplement.

The survey demonstrated that drug makers must reconsider their strategy to reach supplement users. It certainly isn't a matter of cost that keeps supplement users from using prescription drugs. Only 4 percent said prescription drugs were "not affordable."

The survey also asked supplement users to rate the branded supplements they use. The perceived quality of the ingredients in the brands they choose was found to be the most important determinant of a consumer's overall satisfaction.

Top 10 reasons for using dietary supplements

General health        67%
Colds                 53%
Osteoarthrits         39%
Energy enhancement    37%
Cholesterol lowering  29%
Cancer prevention     28%
Allergy               27%
Weight management     25%
Memory impairment     21%
Osteoporosis          21%

Note: Table made from bar graph
Top 10 conditions treated with Rx drugs and dietary supplements

Asthma                     87%
High blood pressure        69%
Allergy                    67%
Migraine                   65%
Cancer treatment           61%
Male erection dysfunction  55%
Depression                 51%
Rheumatoid arthritis       51%
Heartburn/G.I. reflux      49%
Anxiety                    47%

Source: ConsumerLabs.com

Note: Table made from bar graph