Industry Issues

NHPD Status of Submissions Quarterly Report
Special Issue - Quarters 1 and 2 (April 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008)

The NHPD Status of Submissions Quarterly Report is a publication of Health Canada's Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD), the federal department responsible for the regulation of natural health products sold in Canada. The purpose of this report is to provide the Canadian public with statistical data on the product and site licence applications received and processed by the NHPD.

Performance Summary and Highlights

Since the implementation of the Natural Health Products Regulations in January 2004, Health Canada has received 31,868 Product Licence Applications (PLAs). Of this total, over 18,300 PLAs have been completed, including the issuance of over 8800 Product Licences. Health Canada has committed itself to addressing 60% of the total PLA backlog (9706) by March 31, 2009. The remaining 40% will be addressed by March 31, 2010.

Click here to download the .pdf zipped file (Available both in English and French).

 

 

Reconsideration Process - Natural Health Products Directorate

The purpose of this guidance document is to outline the manner in which the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) administers sections 9, 10, 30 and 31 of the Natural Health Products Regulations (the Regulations). Such procedures will be referred to herein as the “Reconsideration Process”.

It is the goal of the NHPD to attempt to resolve all disputes to which this Reconsideration Process may apply in a fair, transparent, and timely manner. The Reconsideration Process complements existing informal dispute resolution mechanisms at the NHPD such as discussions between the NHPD and applicants that may take place during the assessment of licence applications.

Click here to download the .pdf zipped file (Available both in English and French).

 

 

Bill C-51 and the Regulation of Natural Health Products - Fast Facts (Due to the recent federal election call, all bills including Bill C-51 have been killed and no longer on the table)

Natural health products are generally considered to be lower-risk but they are not 'no risk.' Canadians benefit from risk-based regulation that promotes continued access to safe, effective and high quality natural health products.
  • The vast majority of the natural health product industry develops safe products of high quality. Bill C-51 will help us target the minority who behave irresponsibly.
  • Bill C-51 will help ensure that tainted products are found and recalled.
  • Bill C-51 will help ensure that what is on the label is actually in the bottle.
  • Bill C-51 will help ensure that health claims on packaging are supported by appropriate levels of evidence.
The Natural Health Product Regulations, introduced in 2004, will continue to operate the same way under Bill C-51. Canadians will continue to have access to natural health products that are safe, effective and of high quality.
  • Natural health products will not be regulated as pharmaceutical drugs; they will continue to be regulated under their own regulations - separate from drugs and foods.
  • Bill C-51 will not increase the costs of natural health products.
  • Bill C-51 does not regulate growing an herb garden.
  • Bill C-51 does not target practitioners who compound products for their patients.
  • Bill C-51 does not target Canadians' personal use of natural health products.
  • Health food stores will not require a special license to sell natural health products.
  • Canadians will not require a prescription from a doctor for natural health products.
Bill C-51 will not result in more compliance and enforcement action taken for regulated products, including natural health products. Action on natural health products will continue to be undertaken according to the product's level of risk, and to the Compliance Policy for Natural Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate's Policy-0001, which sets out this risk-based approach.
  • Inspectors will not be able to enter a private home without permission or a warrant.
  • Bill C-51 does not enable Health Canada to seize bank accounts.
Source: Healthy Canadians

Bill C-51

Click here to download Bill C-51.

Click here to visit the Health Canada website.

NHPs to be listed as separate category – under Therapeutic Products (re-printed from CHFA E-News)

Natural health products (NHPs) will now be listed as a distinct category under therapeutic products in the legislation, separate from food and drugs, Health Minister Tony Clement announced in the House of Commons June 10th. It was also noted that amendments would be proposed to provide safeguards on the powers of the Minister and Inspectors. While the CHFA can applaud the federal government for listening to industry’s concerns regarding Bill C-51, our work is not complete. The CHFA is advocating that given the increased Ministerial and Inspector powers, it imperative that an effective and transparent appeals mechanism be included in the Act to ensure fair and equitable treatment of stakeholders. For additional comments regarding this news, please visit Vancouver Sun: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=7c0782b9-1e34-4d39-8cc3-688bdb1e0b53

 

 

What Healthy Canadians had to say:

Under Bill C-51 the term "therapeutic products' encompasses a range of products sold for therapeutic purposes, including drugs, medical devices, biologics, and natural health products. This does not change the classification of a natural health product nor impose additional requirements. The Government is proposing amendments to the Bill that would define Natural Health Products, and would separate NHPs from drugs under the umbrella of 'therapeutic product.' This would ensure that the 'third category' of NHPs is created in the legislation.

Source: Healthy Canadians

Food Consumption Behaviour (Canada) 

  • Quick, Fresh, Healthy, Better for You & Exotic Foods
  • Convenience
    • Purchasing, Preparation, Packaging, Portability, Innovation
  • Health & Wellness
    • Low in Fat & Sugar, Medicinal Purposes, Weight Management, Safe, Non-Allergenic
  • Pleasure
    • Ethnic Selection, Comfort Foods, Gourmet, Regional Specialties
  • Value
    • Fresh, All-in-One, Private Label
 

US Market Trends 

Natural Products Expo West/Supply Expo 2008 Anaheim, CA

Based on new product trends discovered at Natural Products Expo West/Supply Expo, shoppers will soon see thousands of new healthy products from the following categories in their neighbourhood markets:
  • Gluten-Free: breads, brownies, cereals, pastas, and snack foods Certified Fair Trade: personal care products, rice, teas, chocolate, snacks, coffee
  • Whole and Sprouted Grains: pizza, kid snacks, nutrition bars, dinner rolls, desserts
  • Healthy Omega-3 Fats: capsules and culinary oils to breakfast and dinner foods
  • Reusable Shopping Bags: certified organic, hemp, recycled materials and biodegradable
  • Pre- and Pro-biotics: from supplement capsules to yogurt snacks, drinks and bars
  • Exotic Ingredients and Novel Flavors: from 'Superfruits' mangosteen, goji berry, yumberry and acai to yerba mate
  • Healthy Kid-sized Foods: drinks, snacks and everything in-between