Charting a course

In 1999, the Minister of Health announced the creation of the Office of Natural Health Products, now the NHPD, with a mandate to implement the Standing Committee recommendations. [...] The strength and volume of the presented evidence, the credibility of the sources cited, quality of publications provided, and the overall utility of this data for demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the NHP are all assessed and reviewed in order to reach the final recommendation at Stage 3 ‘Assessment’. [...] Reviewing the regulations at this early stage allows us to meet the commitment that was made by Health Canada to review the operation of the regulations within the first 3 to 5 years of their coming into force and to ensure that the NHPR is on the right course. [...] In responding to the recommendations of the SJCSR, NHPD will strive to ensure the continuity and clarity of the regulations. [...] The pre-market evaluation of an NHP must be based on an analysis of the benefits and risks associated with each product: the higher the risk, the greater the level of evidence required.