title: Taking an alternative risk.
abstract: Pharmacists and other health care providers that recommend "alternative medicines" could be exposed to malpractice as well as product liability claims in the event a patient is either injured by or has treatment inappropriately delayed based on their recommendation of such medicine. For purposes of this article, it is assumed that alternative medicines are nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) food supplements, vitamins, herbs or other substances contained in commercially available products. Many of these products are sold in pharmacies or health food stores and have not been clinically tested or do not have a scientific basis for the use for which they are recommended.
authors: Kitch, Drutchas, Wagner and Kenney, PC, Detroit, USA.
authors: K J
authors: KJ
authors: Sveska
mesh_terms: D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D017277:Drug Approval / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008824:Michigan; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs