Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate
The Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate is the Canadian regulating authority for:
- natural health products
- non-prescription drugs
On this page
What we do
We authorize natural health products and non-prescription drugs for sale in Canada and ensure that Canadians have ready access to a wide range of products for which safety, efficacy and quality standards are in place.
Natural Health Products
Natural health products (NHPs) are naturally occurring substances that are used to restore or maintain good health. They are often made from plants, but can also be made from animals, microorganisms and marine sources. They come in a wide variety of forms, such as tablets, capsules, tinctures, solutions, creams, ointments and drops.
Under the Natural Health Products Regulations, natural health products are defined as:
- vitamins and minerals
- herbal remedies
- homeopathic medicines
- traditional medicines such as traditional Chinese medicines
- probiotics
- other products, such as amino acids and essential fatty acids
Non-prescription Drugs
Non-prescription drugs are pharmaceutical drug products that are available to consumers without a prescription from a healthcare professional. In Canada, they are generally available to consumers at pharmacies or stores but could also require the assistance of a pharmacist.
Examples include:
- over-the-counter drugs: analgesics, cough and cold remedies, antacids, laxatives
- behind-the-counter drugs: emergency birth control drugs, certain heartburn drugs
- disinfectants: hard surface disinfectants, such as those for countertops.
Office and bureaus
The directorate comprises one office and five bureaus:
- Director General's Office
- Bureau of Licensing Services and Systems
- Bureau of Product Review and Assessment
- Bureau of Strategic Planning and Business Services
- Bureau of Program Policy, Risk Management and Stakeholder Engagement
- Bureau of Consumer Health Product Modernization
Bureau of Licensing Services and Systems
The Bureau of Licensing Services and Systems manages submissions for natural health products, including:
- screening, review and authorization of product and site licences
- authorizing clinical trials
- conducting pre-submission meetings with stakeholders
- providing technical support for submissions
Bureau of Product Review and Assessment
The Bureau of Product Review and Assessment is responsible for reviewing and approving natural health products and non-prescription drugs for:
- safety and efficacy
- product labelling
Bureau of Strategic Planning and Business Services
The Bureau of Strategic Planning and Business Services is responsible for:
- correspondence
- coordination of planning
- program evaluation and performance measurement
- procurement and finance
- administration services
Bureau of Program Policy, Risk Management and Stakeholder Engagement
The Bureau of Program Policy, Risk Management and Stakeholder Engagement is responsible for:
- developing and updating policies and guidance on natural health products and non-prescription drugs
- supporting actions in response to identified product risks
- establishing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders
Bureau of Consumer Health Product Modernization
The Bureau of Consumer Health Product Modernization is responsible for modernizing the regulation of self-care products, including natural health products, cosmetics and over-the-counter drugs in Canada.
For more information
General Information
- Natural Health Products
- Drug Products: Services and information
- Self-care
- Report a Side Effect (Adverse Reaction)
- What's New for Natural Health Products and Non-prescription Drugs
- Lifting the interim policy for household cleaning products, hand soaps and body soaps (COVID-19): Notice
Licensing
- Natural Health Product and Site Licence Applications
- Electronic tools for natural health product licence applications
- List of Natural Health Product Site Licence Holders
- Licensed Natural Health Products Database
- Drug Product Database
- Non-prescription drugs: How Drugs are Reviewed in Canada
Contact us
General Enquiries
General Enquiries
Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
2 Constellation Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K2G 5J9
E-mail: nnhpd-dpsnso@hc-sc.gc.ca