The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) brings together the two competing fields of non-prescription drugs and dietary supplements, both of which it aims to promote as part of the nation’s healthcare system.

New members of the group’s board, elected at its 14th Annual Executive Conference earlier this month, are primarily from the drug industry, and include representatives from firms such as Merck, Novartis and McNeil.

One of the few newly elected members from the supplements industry was president and CEO of Nutrition 21, Michael Zeher.

Zeher said in a statement that CHPA’s promotion of OTC medicines and supplements “could not be more timely or more relevant” than in the today’s financial environment.

“With the nation's current economic environment and the challenges our healthcare system faces, consumers are increasingly turning toward the nutritional and OTC industries for more affordable and effective treatments. The role of the products that CHPA represents offer opportunities to both the consumer and governmental agencies that are looking for solutions to a more affordable healthcare approach."