In pharmacies, shelves are brimming with colorful packages – some contain medications, others dietary supplements. Although at first glance they may look similar, the differences between them are significant and affect the effectiveness and safety of use. In this post, we will look at what really sets them apart and why it is worth knowing what we are choosing.
Dietary supplement and medicine – definitions and legal bases
If you are wondering what is the difference between a dietary supplement and a medicine, it is worth starting with legal definitions. In the European Union and Poland supplement and medicine are treated as separate product categories. A medicine is a substance that has properties for treating or preventing diseases, approved by the appropriate institutions. Differences between a dietary supplement and a drug are already noticeable at the legal level – supplements are defined as foodstuffs intended to supplement the diet, not to cure. It is worth adding that introducing a dietary supplement to the market involves simpler procedures than in the case of medicines, which also affects their availability.
Medicine and dietary supplement – differences in composition and action
One of the most important aspects of this, what is the difference between a supplement and a medicine, is the composition and mechanism of action. Medicines contain precisely defined active substances, the effectiveness of which has been confirmed by clinical studies. In the case of supplements, the ingredients are selected based on their overall effect on the body, but without the need to prove a specific therapeutic effect. Dietary supplements and medications they also differ in the concentration of the substance - in medicines it is strictly defined. Depending on the form of the preparation, both are popular hard capsules, as well as tablets or powders, which affects the absorption of ingredients. Various forms are used in the production of supplements, and one of the most popular methods is capsule production softgel, appreciated for its ease of use.
Summarizing, a dietary supplement is not a medicine, but a special-purpose food product that serves to supplement the diet with specific nutrients. It has no medicinal properties and cannot replace conventional treatment or proper nutrition.
Supplement or medicine? Differences and similarities
Because supplements often look like medications (e.g., tablets in pharmacy packages) and are sold alongside them, it's easy to make a mistake. differences between a dietary supplement and a drug There are many differences – from the definition and purpose, through the registration and quality control process, to the way they are advertised. Here are the most important differences:
- Purpose and operation: A medicine is a medicinal product – its purpose is to treat or prevent diseases and has documented therapeutic properties. A dietary supplement, on the other hand, is treated as a food product that is to supplement the diet with nutrients and support physiological functions, but does not cure diseases. In other words, a medicine cures, and a supplement only nourishes.
- Marketing authorization process: Medicines are subject to rigorous control before they are introduced to the market – they require registration with the appropriate office and undergo a series of clinical trials confirming their effectiveness and safety. Dietary supplements do not undergo such tests before they are sold. The manufacturer must only report the introduction of the supplement to the Chief Sanitary Inspector (GIS), declaring its composition (so-called notification of supplements), but does not have to prove effectiveness. As a result, the path "to the store shelf" is much shorter and easier for supplements than for medicines.
- Quality control and composition: Each batch of medicine must meet strict quality standards – the composition and doses of active substances are thoroughly checked. For supplements (subject to food law), the requirements are less stringent – the ingredients must be safe for health, but there is no requirement to prove their effectiveness in tests before sale. Importantly, the law requires that the composition of the supplement does not pose a threat to the health of the consumer. However, in practice, market supervision is sometimes insufficient – the Supreme Audit Office has shown that in 2017–2020, GIS verified the composition of only 11% of new supplements reported for sale. This means that many products are sold without thorough control, which may pose a risk (more on this in the section on safety).
- Label information: Drug packages contain detailed leaflets with information on indications, dosage, contraindications and possible side effects. The supplement label is much poorer – it mainly contains a list of ingredients, daily dose and a warning that the product is not a substitute for a varied diet. Supplements cannot boast about their medicinal properties on the packaging (this is prohibited by law) – any formulations suggesting treatment or prevention of diseases are not allowed. Only nutritional claims can be given, e.g. "supports immunity", and even these must be true and consistent with the EU lists of permitted health claims.
- Advertising and Marketing: Advertisements for medicines (OTC, over the counter) must contain clear messages such as "Read the leaflet before use...", and the content is subject to many restrictions. Advertisements for dietary supplements are more relaxed in this respect, but they also cannot suggest that the supplement cures or works like a medicine. We often hear slogans like "adds energy, strengthens bones, helps maintain health" instead of promising to cure a specific disease. Despite this, aggressive marketing of supplements (e.g. on TV) is sometimes criticized for misleading consumers about the actual effects of the product.
As you can see, Supplements and medications are not the sameSupplements are more readily available and less rigorously regulated because they're intended to supplement the diet, not provide treatment. In practice, however, the line is blurred – many people treat supplements as drug substitutes, which can be dangerous. Remember: if you're ill, always consult a doctor. A supplement can sometimes support the body (e.g., during convalescence), but it's not a substitute for proper medical treatment.
Supplement vs. medicine – registration and marketing authorization process
The difference between a supplement and a medicine is also visible in the procedure of authorization for sale. Medicines must go through a complicated registration process, including multi-stage clinical trials and assessment by the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products. Meanwhile dietary supplement and medicine differ in that the supplement only needs to be reported to the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate. The supplement registration process takes several weeks, while drug approval can take several years. People considering this, how to produce a dietary supplement, should familiarize themselves with the simplified application procedures.
Medicine vs. Supplement – Quality and Safety Control
If you are wondering what is the difference between a supplement and a medicine, consider differences in quality control. Medicines are subject to strict quality requirements, and each batch is inspected before being released on the market. Supplement or medicine – in the case of the supplement, the check is random and is carried out only after reporting to GIS. This means that the difference between a supplement and a medicine also lies in the level of safety guarantee. Drug manufacturers must demonstrate the purity of active substances, the stability of the composition and the absence of contamination. Supplements, although they must also be safe, are not subject to such detailed assessment. Therefore, the appropriate manufacturing technology is of key importance - an important role is played here machines for the production of dietary supplements, which influence the quality and durability of the final product.
Medicine or supplement – what to choose for specific ailments?
Many people wonder what to choose – medicine or supplement – when the first symptoms of the disease appear. In the case of acute or chronic diseases, you should always choose drugs that have a proven therapeutic effect. If you need to supplement your diet with vitamins, minerals or other nutrients – then a supplement will not replace treatment. It is important to remember that the difference between a drug and a dietary supplement may affect the effectiveness of the therapy. Some over-the-counter preparations may look similar, but differ in legal status and effects. It is important to know the source of the product – e.g. contract production of dietary supplements allows for quality control already at the composition design stage.
What is the difference between a supplement and a medicine – what is worth remembering?
To sum up, what is the difference between a medicine and a supplement, is not just a matter of nomenclature, but a fundamental difference in purpose, regulation, effectiveness and level of control. Medicines are medicinal products whose effectiveness is scientifically confirmed, while supplements support the diet and cannot be treated as a replacement for therapy. This, what is the difference between a dietary supplement and a medicine, it is worth knowing especially when choosing over-the-counter preparations yourself. Both tablet production, and capsules require adaptation to the specificity of the product, which is of great importance for its quality and effectiveness. For brands planning their own products without a production base, the ideal solution is to work with an experienced partner, such as private label producer, which provides comprehensive service from recipe to finished packaging.
