This would remove natural health products (NHPs) as a subset of drugs.
Helen Sherrard, president, CHFA, said: “With over 70% of Canadians using natural health products it is important that the regulations of these products are updated.” The House of Commons Standing Committee on Health concluded in 1998 that NHPs are neither foods nor drugs and therefore should be defined separately in the act.
Despite this committee findings, supported by Members of Parliament from all parties, the Act has not been amended. NHPs continue to be positioned as a subset of drugs creating many serious problems for the industry in Canada.
Sherrard added: “The Ipsos Reid Omnibus survey results released by CHFA clearly demonstrate the public supports a new act for NHPs. The survey found seven in 10 Canadians supported developing a new act for NHPs in Canada. “Not only have members of Parliament supported a modernised act but the public is decisively behind this initiative.”
The public opinion survey also demonstrated that the vast majority of Canadian consumers, 71%, consider NHPs to be safe. Among Canadian consumers of NHPs, 80% indicated these products were “somewhat or very important” to their family.
CHFA also highlighted that the NHP sector creates thousands of jobs and contributes threebn dollars annually to the Canadian economy. “This is a sector that is expanding and growing to meet the demands of Canadians seeking more natural ways to optimise their overall health,” concluded Sherrard.
Source: CHFA
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