Natural Health Products (NHPs) for Preventing Cold Symptoms in Adults – Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec (OPQ)

Upon completion of this lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the process by which natural health products (NHPs) are regulated in Canada
2. Discuss the efficacy and safety data for echinacea, American ginseng root, probiotics, vitamin C and zinc in preventing cold symptoms
3. Describe underlying mechanisms for drug interactions as they relate to echinacea, American ginseng root, probiotics, vitamin C and zinc
4. Identify clinically significant drug interactions with echinacea, American ginseng root, probiotics, vitamin C and zinc
5. Counsel patients on use of NHPs for preventing cold symptoms including patient selection, dosing, side effects and interactions with medications and vaccines