The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada are the government organizations that oversee the regulation of dietary supplements and natural health products in the United States and Canada, respectively. (1)(4) However, dietary supplements are not as strictly regulated as pharmaceutical medications, and many supplement products lack transparency regarding purity, quality, and safety. If the production and distribution of a product does not adhere to strict manufacturing standards, often confirmed by a third-party certifier, the product may include expired ingredients, display inaccurate labels, and risk cross-contamination with other ingredients, among other critical issues that can affect product quality, and ultimately, consumer health. (4)

​

When considering supplement quality and safety, many manufacturers assess products using a set of standards known as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). These standards consider the identity, purity, strength, and composition of each product that is manufactured. (4)

​

Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)

​

Good Manufacturing Practices are standards implemented by the FDA and developed with the intent to protect consumers and allow all manufacturers and resellers of supplements to eliminate the presence of unsafe and incorrect ingredients in their products. The GMP standards also ensure that products are labeled and packaged accurately, and are produced without contamination. (4) These standards allow distributors, like Fullscript, to be held accountable for consumer safety and ensure their products meet quality standards.

​

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is sometimes referred to as Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). (2) The Current Good Manufacturing Practices serve as a guideline to manufacturers and distributors to maintain up to date equipment, technologies, manufacturing processes, and policies. (2) Established by the FDA, cGMPs exist to verify that supplements are produced consistently and meet specific quality and safety standards. (11) To be cGMP-certified, manufacturers must adhere to the following standards:

​

• Places – locations where products are manufactured and stored are sanitary

• People – employees are trained on proper cleanliness and safety processes

• Processes – consistent operations are in place to provide authenticity and safety

• Products – products are checked throughout manufacturing, storage, and delivery for authenticity, safety, and accuracy

​

​

To ensure the catalog provides the highest quality products to practitioners and patients, Fullscript partners with the top professional-grade brands that are compliant with cGMP standards. All brands available in the Fullscript catalog undergo a thorough vetting process, so you can be sure that all products offered are manufactured with safety and quality in mind.