Five years after the federal government decided it needed some control over the sale of natural health products, new regulations are almost ready to be put in place. Canadians have until Feb. 20 to voice their concerns about the regulations, and an updated version should be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, by this summer. Afterwards, manufacturers will have 2 years to have their products assessed and receive a product licence and product identification number, the equivalent of the drug identification numbers used for prescription drugs.
The Natural Health Products Directorate will have to assess an estimated 25 000 to 30 000 products, including herbal preparations, vitamins, minerals, traditional medicines, plants and homeopathic preparations.
Under the regulations, labels will include directions for use, a list of medicinal and nonmedicinal ingredients, and any cautions, contraindications or known adverse reactions associated with the product. Manufacturers will also be allowed to make evidence-based health claims.
To comment on the proposed regulations, contact the Natural Health Products Directorate, 171 Slater St., 9th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1A 0L3; [email protected].