You have the ability to stop Health Canada's proposed change to natural health product regulations as "self care products" under the same set of regulations as chemical non-prescription drugs. 

What does this mean for Canadian public?

Drug manufacturers have been pressuring Health Canada to regulate natural health products as drugs. Health Canada is about to implement those changes.

The projected new regulations will include over the counter medication and natural health products under a “self-care” umbrella.

Concretely, the changes will mean reduced access to natural products as well as increased costs associated with natural health products because of the following:

• Traditional claims will no longer be allowed to support safety and efficacy of dietary supplements meaning the supplements will no longer be available. Currently the majority of herbal ingredients approved by Health Canada fall within this category and include: Aloe vera, Arnica, Ashwagandha, Black cohosh, Chamomille, Chaste tree, Devil’s Claw, Dong quai, Eleuthero, Garlic, Ginseng, Hawthorn, Lemon balm, Licorice, Milk thistle, Peppermint, Saw palmetto, Senna, St. John’s Wort, Valerian, as well as many others.
• Increased cost of supplements for end users. Health Canada will significantly increase the costs associated with the production and licensing of natural health products. These costs will be transferred to customers, as has happened in Australia with similar regulations. This will also mean that smaller companies will disappear from the marketplace reducing competition and increasing costs further. This will ultimately reduce access to natural health products especially for more vulnerable and lower income families and individuals.