Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Practice Exam

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding dietary supplements?

1. A list of ingredients is not required by law.

2. The packaging may state that the product can be used to prevent or treat a disease.

3. The products must be proven to be safe and effective.

4. The packaging may claim that the product improves the general function of the body.

The correct answer is: The packaging may claim that the product improves the general function of the body.

The statement that the packaging may claim that the product improves the general function of the body is true regarding dietary supplements. In the United States, dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA, but they are not required to undergo the same approval process as pharmaceuticals. This means that manufacturers can make specific health claims related to the general effects of their products on bodily functions, such as promoting cardiovascular health or enhancing immune function, as long as they are not claiming to prevent or treat specific diseases. Additionally, while dietary supplements must comply with regulations concerning labeling and packaging, they do not have to provide evidence to support every claim made about their benefits. This flexibility allows products to suggest that they can improve general well-being or body function without providing detailed proof of those claims. In contrast, dietary supplements are required to list their ingredients, making option A incorrect. Furthermore, the law does not allow packaging of these products to assert that they can prevent or treat diseases without sufficient evidence, invalidating option B. Lastly, it is not mandated that dietary supplements must be proven safe and effective before they are marketed, which means option C is also not true.