Self-care product consultation summary: Webinars
Public consultation sessions to discuss modernizing self-care product regulation were held by webinar on May 1 and 5, 2017.
On this page
Consultation summary
To modernize self-care regulation in Canada, we asked consumers and other stakeholders for input on a policy proposal.
We thank everyone who participated in these sessions. The feedback received will continue to shape the regulation of self-care products in Canada.
Participants
The number of participants who attended the webinar consultations were as follows:
- 48 on May 1, 2017
- 137 on May 5, 2017
People who attended the consultation included:
- academics
- consumers
- health care providers
- business representatives
- representatives of professional associations
To protect the privacy of consultation participants, their names will not be shared.
Key issues discussed
During the consultation we delivered a presentation on both the context of the sessions and on the policy proposal, including:
- a two-class system of risk level for products, including safety and failed efficacy
- acceptable claims within each of the two classes
- unique label identifiers and statements on labels to help consumers identify products easily
- compliance and enforcement measures to address safety concerns
Feedback: what we heard
We have included a brief summary of what we heard from participants at the public consultation sessions via webinar.
Consultation and engagement
Participants at the public consultation sessions by webinar said they:
- wanted more time for questions because of the large audiences
- liked having the opportunity to give feedback electronically
- appreciated Health Canada's transparency and openness to their comments
Participants at the public consultation sessions by webinar want Health Canada to:
- provide opportunities for live group discussions
- include points of view from consumers and health care providers
- share materials before future consultation sessions by webinar
- organize targeted consultation sessions by webinar with consumers and health care providers
- offer more consultation sessions by webinar and at convenient times to account for varying time zones
Policy Proposal
Participants at the public consultations by webinar said the policy proposal should:
- consider business impacts, including those from cost recovery and plain language labelling
- ensure there is an appropriate quality standard in place and compliance monitoring for all self-care products
- clarify the process that will be used to distinguish different pathways to market for each class
- consider the use of symbols, infographics or short, positive statements on the label to inform consumers' decision-making
- continue to follow the two class approach
- give more specific details on the claims and products found in each class
For more information
Health Canada – Health Products and Food Branch
Natural and Non-Prescription Health Products Directorate
250 Lanark Avenue, A.L. 2003C
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
Page details
- Date modified: