Russia Plans to Let Doctors Prescribe Approved Dietary Supplements

**Doctors and Paramedics to Be Allowed to Prescribe Registered Dietary Supplements from an Approved List** *Photo: Nikolai OBEREMCHENKO. [View in KP Photo Bank]* Russia's Ministry of Health has proposed an initiative that could reshape the approach to dietary supplements. A draft order developed by the ministry establishes an official procedure for healthcare providers to recommend supplements. According to the document, treating physicians and paramedics will be authorized to prescribe registered dietary supplements included in a special list—provided there are medical indications for their use. All recommendations will be recorded in the patient's medical file, the ministry's press service reports. Only supplements that meet the quality and efficacy standards set by the Russian government, as well as the technical regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union, will be included in the approved list. In theory, this means only products with proven safety and benefits will be prescribed. But are there hidden risks?

**DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS: NO LONGER A DIRTY WORD?** Nutritionist and dietitian **Yelena Solomatina** discussed the practical implications of the Health Ministry's initiative in an interview with *Komsomolskaya Pravda* radio. According to our expert, public perception of dietary supplements in Russia is gradually shifting: more people are turning to specialized products to address nutritional deficiencies. "Until recently, hardly anyone in our country knew much about supplements—and if they did, it was mostly negative information. But consumption has surged in just the past few years," Solomatina notes. *Photo: Alexei FOKIN.* She explains that skepticism was largely due to inconsistent product quality and questionable marketing tactics, which gave supplements a dubious reputation—almost a "dirty word." "I hope the registry will ultimately include only high-quality supplements. At the very least, it will list those that meet all the required documentation standards. When used correctly, they should do no harm," the dietitian says. Solomatina also emphasizes that this process must remain dynamic, with continuous monitoring and updates based on medical practice and emerging scientific research. One key point she highlights: **the final decision always rests with the patient.** "A patient has every right to refuse a specific ingredient in a recommended supplement, go to a pharmacy, and choose what they believe is a higher-quality or more expensive product," Solomatina adds. It's like with medications, our expert explains. A doctor may prescribe a drug by its international name, while the patient then chooses between the original brand-name product and more affordable generic alternatives. The same will likely apply to the supplements listed in the registry, which, according to the expert, may not be the most expensive—since they are designed for mass consumption. **READ MORE** **Russians Share Whether They Take Supplements—and If They Need a Doctor's Approval**