Health Canada is proposing changes the existing Natural Health Product Regulations, which seem to be based on a single public opinion poll and six weeks of consultation taking place right now. The proposed changes could impact how NHPs are approved, the cost and number of products available for sale in Canada, and may not respect the cultural and traditional uses of these products. Read on and find out more, and what you can do to help…
How do you know your supplements are safe?
These NHPs could include vitamin C to reduce the duration and severity of the common cold. Or a probiotic to keep your immune system primed and ready to combat those winter bugs. Or vitamin D, since there are few natural dietary sources and because supplementing with vitamin D is almost universally recommended, particularly for those in greatest need, such as infants and the elderly.
Whatever NHPs you choose, it is important to know Canada is a global leader in the regulation of these products. The Canadian approach to regulation is often referred to as a “pre-approval” system, which means that all NHPs must be licensed by Health Canada before they are allowed to be legally sold to Canadians.
Health Canada is proposing changes that could:
- Cause many of the supplements that you use to disappear forever.
- Increase the cost of the products that are left.
- Reduce the amount of information available to you about the natural health products you rely on.
Help us stop this by sending a message to your Member of Parliament, letting him or her know this is not OK. You can do this in just three easy steps — it takes less than a minute.
Want to find out more?
Click here to find out more about these proposed changes and how they will impact you.
Click here for a list of frequently asked questions (F.A.Q.s) about Health Canada’s proposal.
Click here to read our latest blog detailing these recent developments.
Click here to learn more about the existing NHP Regulations.
How do you know your supplements are going to work?
Currently, when you buy an NHP at your local health food store, you can be confident knowing that the company selling that product has provided evidence to support any health claims made.
The level of evidence required depends on the claim being made, the overall risk of the product, and the condition it is being used for. A product such as a multivitamin that makes a claim, “helps with the maintenance of good health,” will have to provide different evidence than an omega-3 supplement that makes the claim, “helps to reduce serum triglycerides and support brain function.”
No NHP can be licensed for sale in Canada without providing evidence to support the claims being made. Evidence can come from a variety of sources, such as modern studies and traditional sources, including pharmacopoeias (books published by a government, medical or pharmaceutical society) and references supporting the traditional use of products like Traditional Chinese Medicine or herbals.
Each product that is licensed receives a Natural Product Number (NPN), which is printed on the package. You can look up this NPN in Health Canada’s online database, which provides details, such as what is in the product, and what claims have been approved based on the evidence submitted and reviewed by Health Canada.
So what’s the problem?
Health Canada is now proposing changes that could significantly alter the way NHPs are regulated based on, it appears, a single consumer survey and only six weeks of consultation.
This proposal is trying to fix a system that is not broken and will be a step backward instead of forward. Our current regulations take into account the unique properties and low-risk nature of these products, ensuring that you have access to NHPs that are safe, effective and high-quality while respecting your freedom of choice, and the philosophical and cultural diversity of our country.
What does this mean for you?
This proposal is suggesting that Health Canada will no longer review some of the products before they are sold, and would require a disclaimer on labels to the effect of, “Health Canada has not reviewed for safety and efficacy.” Additionally, current claims about the products’ use may no longer be allowed and would be removed from the label. This could limit the amount of information you receive about the products you use.
While reducing oversight on some products, the proposal is suggesting increased oversight on others. These products may require a level of evidence similar to what is needed for drugs. Requiring this level of evidence, necessary for products developed in a lab, is not reasonable for NHPs when considering their safe nature and a long history of use. This will result in the loss of some products from store shelves.
These proposed changes will require companies to begin investing in substantial research for ingredients we know work based on historical use and traditional sources. This means the cost of bringing these products to market will increase, resulting in increased costs for you.
What can you do?
We need your help.
Please visit chfa.ca right now to send a message to your Member of Parliament, letting them know these proposed changes are unacceptable. It will only take you one minute and will make a big difference in helping to ensure you continue to have access to the NHPs you know and love.
Help get the word out on Social Media
“Supplements should be regulated based on their low risk & the fact they’re derived from nature #SaveOurSupplements” – click here to Tweet
“Canada is a global leader in the regulation of supplements. Let’s move forward instead of back #SaveOurSupplements” – click here to Tweet
“Don’t take away my freedom to choose safe and effective products #SaveOurSupplements” – click here to Tweet
“I’m one of the 77% of Canadians that use supplements #SaveOurSupplements” – click here to Tweet
“Supplements are not drugs. Click to help #SaveOurSupplements” – click here to Tweet
from Dai Manuel: The Moose is Loose http://ift.tt/2dFx5lP
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