Parenteral and enteral nutrition: borderline substances.

The application of medicinal product legislation to products which have a possible dual function as drugs and as foods or cosmetics has been described. The approach of the Family Practitioner Services under the NHS is to allow for as much professional debate as possible over the indeterminate ground between food and drugs. The role of the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances in this context is briefly mentioned. Finally, some practical problems which arise in hospital practise have been described and for the solution the emphasis is upon the multi-disciplinary team approach.