As previously stated, changes to the regulatory system of dietary supplements need to be implemented in order to protect the health and safety of consumers. Ideas for future action are presented:
- The FDA should be granted more authority with a premarket approval system. Manufacturers should be required to register products with the FDA.
- Standard manufacturing procedures to ensure quality of products need to be implemented. A requirement should also be put in place for companies to conduct clinical trials using their products and any ingredients.
- All products should be tested for purity, safety, and quality by a third-party verifier.
- If a premarket approval system is not possible, the action needs to be taken to implement a better method for the FDA to quickly remove unsafe products form the market.
- Reporting of ALL adverse events should be mandatory.
- A goal should be set to expand the scientific knowledge base on dietary supplements. Research findings should be translated into useful information for consumers, healthcare professionals, policy makers, coaches, and athletes. An education system on dietary supplements would be ideal.