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Should Natural Health Products be Classified as Drugs?

We here at Choices know that our customers are informed and conscientious shoppers, especially when it comes to accessibility to natural health products. Due to recent developments, we felt it necessary to share the following with our loyal shoppers.

Health Canada has recently launched the Consulting Canadians on the Regulation of Self-Care Products in Canada document. Previously referred to as the Consumer Health Product Framework, this document has changed dramatically since its original inception, and proposes that, in the future, many natural health products (NHPs) be regulated using the same rules as drugs. These NHP’s include everything from vitamin C supplements to probiotics.

In short, this new regulation would mean that testing done to natural health products would be on the same level as drugs which would be far more intensive and rigorous. However, it could also severely hamper your ability to access natural health products that are already on the market. Many smaller NHP manufacturers simply do not have the investment capabilities to afford expensive drug testing needed to maintain certification.

Currently, Canada is a global leader in the regulation of these products, which can include vitamins, minerals, probiotics, herbal products, homeopathic remedies and traditional medicines. These regulations are based on 53 recommendations made by the Standing Committee on Health (SCOH) in 1998. The SCOH met with hundreds of witnesses, including consumer groups, Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, International regulators, and received numerous submissions over a half a year of consultation.

We urge you to read Consulting Canadians on the Regulation of Self-Care Products in Canada, and please also read a counter-point on maintaining the current level of regulation by the Canadian Health Food Association. By visiting the CHFA website you can also send a letter to your local Member of Parliament to express your views on the subject.

Read NHPs are Not Drugs by the CHFA Frequently Asked Questions