The state regulation of the Russian market of biologically active supplements: an overview of current trends and development priorities

Introduction. This study presents the results of an analysis of state regulation mechanisms for dietary supplements, as well as the risks of counterfeit, falsified, and substandard products on the national market. The aim of this study was to assess current trends and development priorities in state regulation of the Russian dietary supplement market. Material and methods. Judicial practice was monitored using the cross-platform legal reference system "Consultant Plus" at the level of decisions of the highest courts for the period from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2023, using an advanced search for the keyword "dietary supplements." Regulatory acts governing the circulation of dietary supplements on the Russian market also served as research materials. Results. The results of the assessment of judicial practice regarding dietary supplements revealed instances of the presence of prohibited substances in supplements (57.89%), discrepancies in the declared dosage of biologically active substances (31.58%), and discrepancies in the microbiological safety profile of the final product (10.53%). Priorities for the development of legal regulation for this product category include expanding the range of safety requirements for dietary supplement quality parameters and establishing an effective system of government oversight using a risk-based approach at individual stages of the life cycle across all distribution channels, including online sales. Conclusion. Given the heterogeneity of dietary supplements across a number of parameters, primarily end-use, government regulation mechanisms require a balanced and well-founded approach within each individual product category.