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PharmaGuide

Methodology

The science behind every verdict.

How we collect, verify, and ship the interaction data that powers PharmaGuide — including who reviews it, what AI does and doesn't do, and where we draw the line.

01 · Why methodology matters

In a market full of opinions, we show our work.

  • 01

    Traceability

    Every interaction warning is traceable to a regulatory source, peer-reviewed publication, or professional reference. No anonymous claims.

  • 02

    Accuracy

    Content is verified against primary sources and reviewed by licensed clinicians before it ships. Updates are dated and visible.

  • 03

    Accountability

    We say what we do — and what we don't. The boundaries are explicit. No marketing-speak hiding the limits.

02 · Where our data comes from

Four primary sources. No anonymous claims.

  • FDA

    FDA Resources

    • Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD)
    • Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS)
    • Warning letters and safety alerts
    • Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) records

    Product identification · safety alerts · manufacturing disclosures

  • NIH

    NIH Resources

    • Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
    • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
    • DailyMed (drug labeling)
    • Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database

    Ingredient information · efficacy research · safety profiles

  • PUB

    Clinical Literature

    • PubMed / MEDLINE
    • Cochrane Library systematic reviews
    • Journal of Dietary Supplements
    • Drug-nutrient interaction studies

    Interaction mechanisms · clinical evidence · contraindications

  • PRO

    Professional Resources

    • Natural Medicines Database
    • Clinical pharmacology references
    • Drug interaction databases
    • Professional society guidelines

    Cross-referencing interactions · clinical context

We do not access medical records, pharmacy systems, or any personal health data outside what you put into the app.

03 · Our 5-step process

From source to verdict, every interaction.

  1. 01

    Source identification

    We start from authoritative sources only — peer-reviewed, government-published, or recognized by professional clinical societies. No blog posts, no influencer claims, no unverified registries.

  2. 02

    Data extraction and analysis

    Information is structured into ingredient profiles with explicit citations. Each interaction is mapped to its mechanism, evidence level, and clinical context.

    Output · Structured ingredient profiles with cited sources
  3. 03

    Pharmacist verification

    A licensed clinical pharmacist reviews every interaction before it ships — checking the science, the framing, and the recommendation against current practice standards.

    Reviewer · Dr. Pham L., PharmD
  4. 04

    Clinical advisory review

    A second reviewer reads from the patient-education angle: is the language clear, the framing accessible, the safety context unambiguous?

    Reviewer · Miriam D., NP
  5. 05

    Publication and ongoing monitoring

    Once published, content goes into an ongoing review cycle. FDA alerts, new research, or regulatory changes trigger immediate updates.

    Schedule · Quarterly systematic reviews + priority alerts as needed

04 · Medical advisory team

Real clinicians, named.

  • Dr. Pham L., PharmD

    Clinical Pharmacist

    PharmD · 15+ years clinical pharmacy

    Focus · Drug-supplement interactions · pharmacovigilance · clinical accuracy review

  • Miriam D., NP

    Nurse Practitioner

    NP · integrative health practice

    Focus · Patient education · integrative health · content accessibility

05 · AI transparency

AI does some of the work. Humans do the rest.

We use AI to scale the parts that benefit from scale. We use clinicians for everything else. Here's exactly where the line is.

What AI does

  • Process and structure data from multiple sources
  • Identify potential interactions documented in the literature
  • Generate initial drafts of educational content
  • Power the AI Guidance Chat for in-app questions

What AI does not do

  • Generate original research or clinical recommendations
  • Diagnose medical conditions or symptoms
  • Recommend specific treatments or dosages
  • Access personal health records or medical history
  • Replace the judgment of a licensed healthcare professional

06 · Limitations and scope

Built to inform. Not to replace.

PharmaGuide is

  • An educational information platform
  • A tool to support informed conversations with your healthcare provider
  • A resource for understanding documented interactions
  • Reviewed by licensed healthcare professionals

PharmaGuide is not

  • A medical device or diagnostic tool
  • A replacement for professional medical advice
  • A source of treatment recommendations
  • A guarantee of supplement safety or efficacy

Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.

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