Natural health products
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Health Canada's role
Health Canada regulates natural health products (NHPs) so that Canadians can have confidence that the products they use are safe, effective and of high quality.
Under the Natural Health Products Regulations, which came into effect on January 1, 2004, NHPs are defined as:
- Probiotics
- Herbal remedies
- Vitamins and minerals
- Homeopathic medicines
- Traditional medicines such as traditional Chinese medicines
- Other products like amino acids and essential fatty acids
The Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) assesses all NHPs before allowing their sale in Canada. It also verifies that NHPs are properly manufactured (without contamination or incorrect ingredients). NNHPD monitors companies involved in NHPs to make sure they respect the Natural Health Products Regulations.
Information for consumers
- About Natural Health Products
- About Natural Health Product Regulation in Canada
- Report a Side Effect (Adverse Reaction)
- What's new: Natural and non-prescription health products
- Licensed Natural Health Products Database
- List of Site Licence Holders
- Natural Health Products Ingredients Database
- Contact the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate
Information for industry
- Natural Health Products Online System – natural health product application forms and guidelines
- Natural Health Product Licensing – Forms and templates
- Natural Health Products Site Licensing – Forms
- Clinical Trials – Forms and templates
- Guidance Documents - on all aspects of regulatory requirements for natural health products
- Guidance for Industry on Third-Party Issuance of international Trade Certificates
- Natural Health Product Licensing Bulletin
- The Natural Health Product Site Licensing Bulletin and Good Manufacturing Practices Inspection Bulletin
- Fact Sheet on Schedule A Health Claims for Natural Health Products
- Licensed Natural Health Products Database
- NNHPD monographs
- Classification of Products under the Food and Drugs Act (FDA)
- Contact the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate
- Lists incorporated by reference