Non-prescription Drugs: Labelling Standards - Drug Product

A non-prescription drug labelling standard outlines the permissible conditions of use and labelling requirements, such as dose, intended use, directions for use, warnings, active ingredients and combinations thereof. Labelling standards are developed for drugs that have a well characterized safety and efficacy profile under specific conditions of use. A manufacturer may reference a labelling standard in a drug submission when the product and its labelling are consistent with the information set out in the document.

When a labelling standard does not exist, or when a product or its labelling is outside the scope of a published labelling standard, the sponsor must submit evidence to support the safety, efficacy, and quality of the product when used according to the proposed conditions of use. Examples of these situations include, but are not limited to:

• the directions for use are not provided for in labelling standard;
• an active ingredient is not provided for in the labelling standard;
• a strength or dose is outside the limits allowable by the labelling standard:
• the product combines aspects of more than one labelling standard which are not explicitly provided for in an individual labelling standard; or
• the proposed product is a New Drug.

Please note that all products are subject to Good Manufacturing Practices outlined in Part C, Division 2 of the Food and Drug Regulations whether or not the drug submission references a labelling standard. For more information on the drug submission process, please refer to the guidance document Guidance for Industry: Management of Drug Submissions.

As of January 1, 2010, the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD)  is now responsible for the regulatory oversight of all natural health products previously classified as drugs under the Food and Drugs Act.

For those products which had previously been captured by a Pharmaceutical Drugs Directorate (PDD) Category IV Monograph or Labelling Standard but which contain active ingredients classified as either drugs or natural health products, PDD and NNHPD have undertaken to jointly revise the affected monograph in consultation with external stakeholders. The harmonized monographs will facilitate the regulatory review process and establish consistent guidelines for labelling requirements. A link will take you to the joint PDD/NNHPD monograph located on the NNHPD Web page.

For all other natural health product ingredients, please consult NNHPD's Compendium of Monographs.

• Acetaminophen Labelling Standard [2016-09-15]
• Acetylsalicylic Acid Labelling Standard [2013-10-17]
• Adult Cough, Cold and Flu [2025-04-01]
• Anorectal Drug Products [1994-09-01]
• Antacids [1994-07-24]
• Anthelmintics [1996-05-17]
• Antiflatulents [1996-07-19]
• Antifungal (Naftifine & Imidazole) [1993-10-22]
• Antifungals (topical) [1995-01-30]
• Antitussive - Adult [2015-07-28]
• Bismuth Subsalicylate [1996-05-17]
• Cough and Cold [2009-02-06]
• Paediatric Cough and Cold Products Attestation of Compliance [2009-01-30]
• Cyproheptadine [1992-08-14]
• Decongestant - Oral Adult [2016-01-26]
• Dimenhydrinate [1994-12-01]
• Ethylene Oxide Gaseous Sterilants [1995-09-05]
• Expectorant - Adult [2014-05-30]
• Famotidine [1997-08-20]
• Intravaginal (Miconazole & Clotrimazole) [1994-12-01]
• Laxatives: Bulk Forming [2012-07-09]
• Laxatives: General [1994-09-01]
• Laxatives: Kit Bowel Cleansing System [1994-09-01]
• Laxatives: Lactulose [1994-09-01]
• Laxatives: Lubricant [1994-09-01]
• Laxatives: Stimulant [1997-10-03]
• Laxatives: Stool Softener [2015-07-28]
• Non-Classical Antihistamines [1998-04-01]
• Poison Treatment [1994-09-01]
• Sleep Aids [1993-07-12]
• Topical Anaestheic/Analgesic/Antipruritic [2015-07-29]
• Topical Antibiotics [1992-11-19]
• Topical Nasal Decongestants [2014-05-30]
• Triethanolamine Salicylate (Trolamine) [1995-09-13]