CRN, FMI partner on educational tool for pharmacists

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition and the Food Marketing Institute announced they are working together to remind pharmacists about their legal obligations when selling dietary supplements in a retail setting.

CRN and FMI said they have added an insert page specifically for pharmacists to CRN's "Roadmap for Retailers" — a free brochure released last year — which highlights the valuable role pharmacists play in helping to guide consumers as they seek information on dietary supplements. Pharmacists and other pharmacy personnel can use the "Roadmap" as a reminder about the kinds of claims that are acceptable in retail pharmacies, CRN and FMI said.

"As part of CRN's ongoing commitment to educating healthcare professionals about the safe use of dietary supplements, this partnership gives CRN the opportunity to help educate a community of healthcare practitioners who deal directly with millions and millions of consumers who want information about dietary supplements," CRN VP scientific and regulatory affairs Duffy MacKay said. "Working with FMI on this project gives us further access to the pharmacists who sell our products and want to stay on the right side of the law."

As part of the partnership, the organizations will extend this education effort by holding a webinar later this year for pharmacists on Pharmacist Society, an online community for pharmacy professionals sponsored by the Drug Store News Group.

"We are pleased to join forces with CRN to produce this educational tool for retail pharmacists," said Cathy Polley, VP health and wellness and executive director of the FMI Foundation. "Pharmacists are highly trained, valuable resources for consumers, and the 'Roadmap' will serve as a helpful reference tool when guiding consumers to dietary supplements to support their health regimens."

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