What Is a BFQ? Supplements vs Medicines

You see the abbreviation "BFQ" on pharmacy shelves and in social media ads alike. What is a BFQ, how does a biologically active supplement differ from a medicine, and how can you tell a quality product from a fake? This article answers these questions in plain language, from legal status to reading the label. The goal is to help you ask the right questions before you buy anything.

What is a BFQ?

BFQ stands for biologik faol qo'shimcha, a biologically active supplement (in Russian БАД; in English a dietary supplement or food supplement). It is a product taken in addition to food, in the form of capsules, tablets, powder or liquid. It may contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, plant extracts and other substances.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) describes supplements as concentrated sources of nutrients sold in measured doses such as capsules or tablets. In the European Union, supplements are regulated as foods, not as medicines. In many countries, including Uzbekistan, supplements and medicines are separate categories.

Put simply, a BFQ is meant to complement the diet and support the normal functioning of the body. It is not a means of diagnosing, preventing or treating disease.

How is a BFQ different from a medicine?

Many people think of a supplement as a "mild medicine". In fact these are two different categories, assessed and used in different ways:

Criterion	Medicine	BFQ (supplement)
Purpose	Diagnosing, preventing or treating a disease	Complementing the diet, supporting normal body function
Registration	Registered as a medicine on the basis of clinical studies of efficacy and safety	Goes on sale after its composition and safety are checked, with a permit from the competent authority
Claims on the pack	Official indications: which diseases it is used for	No disease claims allowed; only wording such as "supports"
Dose	Set by a doctor according to the disease and the patient	Stated in the instructions on the pack; it should not be exceeded
Who recommends it	Often by a doctor's prescription	Usually without prescription, but with chronic illness or regular medicines a doctor's advice is needed

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stresses the same principle: a product presented as a remedy for a specific disease, or as a way to prevent one, is legally a drug. So a supplement advert promising to rid you of a particular illness is the first warning sign.

How does a BFQ get permission in Uzbekistan?

In Uzbekistan, before a supplement goes on sale it is reviewed by the competent organisations within the Ministry of Health system and receives a permit. The permit number appears in the product documents and usually on the pack.

A permit means the product meets the established requirements and may be sold as a supplement. It does not confirm that the product works against any disease; that is the role of medicines. So the conclusion "it has a state permit, so it helps with everything" is wrong.

You have every right to ask the seller or manufacturer for the permit number. A serious company does not hide this information.

Does "natural" mean safe?

No. The FDA warns that the word "natural" is no guarantee of safety: some natural substances are toxic. The FDA has even found products sold as "natural" that secretly contained high doses of prescription drugs.

Plant substances can also interact with medicines and cause allergies in some people. So it is worth taking a supplement as seriously as a medicine: know what you are taking and tell your doctor about it.

How to choose a quality supplement

When you pick up a pack, check the following:

Permit number. It should be stated. If it is missing, ask the seller.
Manufacturer. The company name, country and address should be clearly written. A product without an address, from an "unknown factory", is suspicious.
Composition per capsule. Each substance should be listed in milligrams or micrograms per capsule or per serving. A vague "proprietary blend" or a list without amounts signals missing information.
Form of the nutrient. The same mineral can come in different compounds, and omega-3 is produced in different forms. If the form is stated on the label, that is a sign of transparency. We explain how to read an omega-3 label in our article on how to take omega-3.
Manufacturing standards. If a company holds GMP (good manufacturing practice) or other certificates, it usually says so. According to the FDA, GMP rules are meant to ensure a product's identity, purity, quality, strength and composition.
Instructions and cautions. How to take it, who should not take it, storage conditions and expiry date should all be written.
Modest promises. A quality product "supports"; it does not promise to make you well "in a week".

Red flags of fake or dubious supplements

The FDA lists typical signs of health fraud products. Here they are, with a few signs from local experience added:

"One product does it all". A promise to help with dozens of different diseases at once: no such universal remedy exists.
"Miracle", "100% guaranteed", "secret formula". These phrases should raise doubt, not trust.
Quick results. "In 3 days", "gone for good after one course". In serious conditions even medicines rarely work that fast.
Only personal stories. "My neighbour took it and got better" is not scientific evidence, and online reviews can be fake.
"The secret doctors are hiding". Conspiracy talk distracts from the simple question of whether the product is proven to work.
A seller with no address or permit. Only on social media, only a phone number, no manufacturer or permit number on the pack.
Advice to stop your medicines. "With this you don't need your pills" is the most dangerous sign of all.

Supplement safety: who needs to be careful?

Even a quality supplement with a permit is not right for everyone. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement if:

You take medicines regularly. Supplements can interact with medicines, for example blood thinners, antidepressants and blood-sugar-lowering drugs.
You have surgery planned. Some supplements may need to be stopped beforehand; the surgeon or anaesthetist decides.
You are pregnant or breastfeeding. The safety of many substances in this period is not well studied, so only after consulting your doctor.
It is for a child. Do not give a child an adult supplement on your own initiative.
You have a chronic illness. With liver, kidney or heart disease, diabetes and other conditions, the choice of supplement should be agreed with your doctor.
You take several supplements at once. Different products may contain the same vitamin or mineral, and the total amount can become too high.

Remember: supplements do not replace a balanced diet, enough sleep, physical activity and medicines prescribed by your doctor. For example, we looked at the myths about liver "detox" products in our article liver cleansing: facts and myths.

How to take a supplement correctly

Choosing a quality product is half the job. The other half is taking it correctly:

Follow the instructions. According to EFSA, in the European Union a supplement label must carry a warning not to exceed the recommended daily dose. The idea that "more works faster" is wrong.
Keep a list. Write down all the medicines, vitamins and supplements you take and show it to your doctor at appointments.
Mention it before tests. Some supplements can affect blood test results, so let the lab or your doctor know in advance.
Store it properly. Keep to the temperature and humidity conditions on the pack, watch the expiry date and store it out of children's reach.
Watch how you feel. After starting a new product, pay attention to how you feel; if unusual symptoms appear, stop taking it and see a doctor.

When to see a doctor

after starting a supplement you get a rash, itching, shortness of breath or swelling of the lips or face; this may be an allergy, and if breathing is difficult call emergency services immediately;
nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or other discomfort does not go away;
your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your urine becomes dark;
you have a racing heart, dizziness or unusual weakness;
you are taking a supplement for a symptom, and it does not go away within a few weeks or gets worse: the cause needs to be found;
you are prescribed a new medicine: always say which supplements you take.

Nutva products

All products under the Nutva brand are biologically active supplements made by «NUTVA PHARM» LLC, Uzbekistan. They are not medicines. Each has a permit number issued within the Ministry of Health system:

Nutva Immuno: permit №1578927;
Nutva Liver: permit №1578934;
Nutva Omega-3: permit №1578936;
Nutva Nefro: permit №1594424;
Nutva Inositol: permit №1594430.

Each product page lists the composition per capsule and the cautions. How to take them: follow the instructions on the pack and your doctor's advice.

Frequently asked questions

What does BFQ mean?

BFQ means biologically active supplement, called БАД in Russian. It is a product containing vitamins, minerals, plant extracts or other substances that is taken in addition to food. It is not a medicine and is not intended as a remedy for disease.

Is a BFQ a medicine or not?

No, a supplement is not a medicine. A medicine is registered for a specific disease on the basis of clinical studies, while a supplement is intended to support normal body function and is permitted through a different procedure.

Can you take supplements without asking a doctor?

Many supplements are sold without prescription, but if you take regular medicines, are pregnant, have a chronic illness or are expecting surgery, talk to your doctor first. Healthy adults should also follow the instructions on the pack strictly.

How can I check a supplement's permit?

The permit number is usually shown on the pack or in the product documents. You can ask the seller or the manufacturer for it; a reliable company shares it openly. If in doubt, ask a pharmacist.

Are vitamins and BFQ the same thing?

Vitamin and mineral complexes are the most common type of supplement, but supplements can also contain amino acids, omega-3, plant extracts and probiotics. Some vitamin products are registered as medicines, so check the status on the pack.