Keywords
Citation
(2005), "Canada - Safe and effective natural health products", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 18 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijhcqa.2005.06218bab.008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Canada - Safe and effective natural health products
The Americas
Canada - Safe and effective natural health products
Keywords: Natural products, Public health, Canada
Canadians are becoming more and more interested in natural health products (NHPs). As the popularity of NHPs continues to grow, so do calls for assurances of their safety and quality. The Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) supports Health Canada’s goal to provide Canadians with timely access to safe, effective and high quality natural health products.
HPFB is responsible for confirming the health benefits and managing the possible risks of natural health products. One of the key initiatives in this area has been to develop Canada’s first Natural Health Products Regulations. These regulations help Canadians to make choices with safety and confidence. Developed and administered by HPFB’s Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD), the new Natural Health Products Regulations came into effect in January 2004. They cover all health products based on natural ingredients, including herbs and their extracts, homeopathic medicines, vitamins, minerals, and traditional medicines. The regulations include licensing requirements to help promote good manufacturing practices.
Packaging and labelling rules require any health claims, ingredients, instructions for use and warnings to be clearly displayed Many natural health products have long histories of safe use. However, scientists in NHPD still conduct a thorough review of the safety and appropriate use of each product before it can be authorized for sale. All available evidence on a product is thoroughly examined and health benefits are weighed carefully against potential health risks. Working with NHPD, the Marketed Health Products Directorate of HPFB oversees the Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program to make scientists fully aware of any problems that may occur once a product has reached the marketplace. The program requires all licensed health product producers to monitor any adverse reactions reported by consumers using their products. Health Canada must be informed of any serious reactions. This information is considered, along with any national or international information, when analyzing product use and safety. Health Canada has the authority to require label changes to a product or even remove a product from the market if evidence indicates is a health risk to consumers.
The Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Program fully applies to all natural health products licensed for use in Canada.
For more information, see www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/