Regulating Natural Health Products Protects Canadians

June 17, 2008

TOBIQUE-MACTAQUAC – Mike Allen, Member of Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac, recognizes that with the rising popularity and use of Natural Health Products (NHPs), people have understandably become concerned with their safety, but also the need to have flexibility to use many of these common products such as vitamins. 

“Bill C-51, the Food and Drugs Act, is meant to ensure that both food and health products on the market are safe for Canadians,” said Mr. Allen. “If a product claims to cure a particular ailment, there must be some demonstrated proof of that claim.” 

At the same time, Mr. Allen points out that Natural Health Products are not regulated as drugs, nor will they be with the new legislation. “There have been a number of people who have expressed to me their concern that the proposed bill would regulate NHPs to the point where some of your common vitamins may be subject to regulation and therefore unavailable to the public.”

This bill is meant to target those who break the law and not go after the majority of law-abiding Canadian businesses and people who are providing and using safe products. "The Government of Canada is committed to providing the best access possible to NHPs while making sure that there are no products which could harm Canadians,” explained Mr. Allen.

“Following the introduction of Bill C-51, our caucus saw several problem areas in the Bill,” he said.

This led to many discussions with the Health Minister and after review and a period of public consultation, changes have been proposed prior to the Bill going to committee for study. The first of these changes will ensure that Natural Health Products are recognized as being different from drugs. “In order to make sure this happens, a separate definition of Natural Health Products would be included in the bill," said Mr. Allen.

The government will also propose an amendment to set up an advisory committee. “This would be completely independent of government,” Mr. Allen said.

The advisory committee would be made up of stakeholders, manufacturers, health care professionals, the public and consumers, and they would have input on any changes that need to be made with respect to upcoming natural health products.

“I am well aware of the benefits of Natural Health Products, and I also want to make sure Canadians are safe from harm,” concluded Mr. Allen.