Natural Health Products include vitamins and minerals, herbal medicines and teas, homeopathic preparations and probiotics. They are usually sold without a prescription in pharmacies and stores, but can be prescribed by doctors. A 2005 Ipsos Reid report found that 71 per cent of Canadians use Natural Health Products on a regular basis.

All NHPs are regulated by the federal Food and Drug Act and the Natural Health Products Regulations. These regulations were introduced in 2004 after extensive consultations with the public and stakeholders. These regulations cover pre-market product assessment, site licensing and post-market reporting requirements.

Natural Health Products in Canada: Regulations and Compliance Explained

The quality expectations for NHPs outlined in this document are based on valuable feedback received from stakeholders and experience gained by scientific reviewers/assessment officers and submission coordinators at the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD). These quality expectations, along with the Pathway for Licensing Natural Health Products Making Modern Health Claims and the Good Manufacturing Practices Guidance Document, form a comprehensive and consistent approach to assessing the quality of finished natural health products.

NNHPD has a system to identify unauthorized or mislabelled natural health products, and takes timely action to protect the public’s safety and well-being. When you see a product with an 8-digit Natural Product Number or Homeopathic Medicine Number (DIN-HM), it means that NNHPD has reviewed the product and determined that it meets Health Canada’s quality and safety standards.

A cautionary note about NHPs: Any substance that is designed to affect the body’s natural processes has the potential to cause harm. That’s why it is important to always read the label, especially when taking a product that may interact with other medications. For example, some NHPs can alter the way your cancer drugs work by changing how your body absorbs and uses them.