The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) was created following the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, with the aim of coordinating and conducting research and communication programs on dietary supplements.
Over the period of the last strategic plan, from 1998-2003, the center's budget expanded from $3.5 million to just under $20 million. The next phase will focus on the same goals but comments to the center's directors have drawn attention to new needs.
These include a 'greater emphasis on integrated approaches that recognize the interrelationships and interdependence of specific programs and activities'. There is also a need for exploring emerging technologies and using cross-disciplinary studies.
The ODS also said it will implement an approach to allow ongoing review and evaluation of its programs. This will include annual consultations with different representatives, and options for public comment on the meetings. There will also be a steering group made up of federal employees to advise the director on progress of research and other programs. This will help it to meet the 'congressional mandates of DSHEA', it said.
"We anticipate that, by 2009, major changes will have occurred in how research is conducted, what research will be needed or possible, what training and education are needed to meet these changes, and what techniques of public communication. ODS must be prepared to respond to these changing circumstances," writes director Paul Coates.
The main goals for the next five years include: further evaluation of the role of supplements in disease prevention and reduction of risk factors associated with disease; fostering of research into the role of supplements in improving optimal health; further understanding of the biochemical and cellular effects of supplements on biological systems; promoting and support of the development of methodologies appropriate to ingredients; and to expand education of the public, health care providers and scientists about the benefits and risks of supplements.
The full proposal is available from the NIH website.