This presentation will provide an overview of regulation differences between prescription, over-the-counter medicine, and dietary supplements with an emphasis on the current dietary supplement regulatory gaps. In addition, the presentation will review the architecture of a dietary supplement label and how to interpret the information provided. To promote safe use and minimize errors, specific examples of dosing and common misconceptions will be shared, alongside practical recommendations. Lastly, the session will explore both paid and freely available resources for verifying potential drug-supplement interactions.  

At the end of this activity, learners will be able to:   

• Identify three regulatory gaps that currently exist for dietary supplements 

• Interpret the key components of a dietary supplement label to formulate a safe and effective recommendation for patient use  

• Describe at least two common mechanisms of drug-supplement interactions and recommend two reliable resources for interaction screening 

Candy Tsourounis, PharmD, FCSHP, is a Professor of Clinical Pharmacy in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy in the School of Pharmacy at UCSF. She also serves as the Drug Use Management Supervisor for UCSF Health. Dr. Tsourounis contributes to the department’s Medication Outcomes Center, which conducts medication-related research and evidence-based analyses, evaluates pharmaceutical models of care, contributes to continuous quality improvement, implements value-added strategies, and improves patient outcomes within the UCSF Medical Center and its affiliated institutions. 

Dr. Tsourounis has over 30 years of experience working in the area of dietary supplements. She is very passionate about educating the scientific community and the public about dietary supplements. She has authored numerous articles and has contributed meaningful research in this field, particularly in the area of dietary supplement use and safety. She has contributed her expertise to the development of dietary supplement competencies within pharmacy school curricula nationally and abroad. Dr. Tsourounis has established a strong reputation in the area of dietary supplements and has been asked to speak on this topic at statewide, national, and international educational programs.

Zoom Information

https://events.zoom.us/ev/ArbVIrpUcvbpsw-JSn5dGw3MvuyeHM1LiGRpn9p_9AqgKv3PtyYm~AiLaqREH_j1qX4hXDh-oXMwghcjfvBZrzjvIyYW7mMlE2OhWJfPTHhNiTg

Accreditation Statement:

In support of improving patient care, the University of California, San Francisco Office of Continuing Medical Education is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. 

UCSF designates this live activity for a maximum of 10 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)TM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. The credit maximum above reflects all Osher Center for Integrative Health Grand Rounds sessions in Fiscal Year 2025. Up to 1 credit may be claimed against any individual session. 

CE for Acupuncturists:  This live activity is approved by the State of California Acupuncture Board for 1 hour of Category 1 CE course credit. 

CME Disclosure Statement:    

Planners: Shelley Adler, PhD, Selena Chan, DO; and Patty Moran, PhD, have no financial relationships to disclose.     

Speaker: Candy Tsourounis, PharmD, FCSHP., has no financial relationships to disclose.