Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) - Upcoming activities: January to June 2017

Upcoming activities: January to June 2017

1. Consulting Canadians on the Regulation of Self-Care Products in Canada

Building on the fall 2016 consultation, the NNHPD will be further engaging consumers and other stakeholders on the development of a new approach to regulating self-care products during this six-month activity period. This will begin with seeking input on the consultation approach, to be followed by regional engagement with stakeholders and consumers on major policy issues.

• Discuss consultation approach with stakeholders
• Publish 'What We Heard' report from the fall 2016 consultation
• Consult on policy proposals via regional engagement sessions

2. Disinfectants/Sterilizers/Sanitizers/Cleaners

An approach to disinfectants, sterilizers, sanitizers and cleaners is being considered and NNHPD will communicate developments.

3. Amendment to the management of product licence applications for natural health products policy

NNHPD continues to explore improvements to the application management policy.

4. Updates to Licensed Natural Health Products Database (LNHPD) are anticipated to be implemented in February 2017.

Updates to the current LNHPD will be made to enhance transparency and openness.

5. Monograph Development

The NNHPD will be examining a new approach to monograph development. This may include updates to existing monographs and incorporate publicly available information submitted in product license applications.

6. Final Publication Monographs

The following monographs are scheduled to be posted as soon as ready:

• Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements
• Antioxidant monograph
• Cognitive function products
• Counterirritants/Medicated Vapours
• Green Tea Extracts
• Selenium

7. Drug Facts Table for Non-prescription Drugs

The Drug Facts Table for non-prescription drugs will be posted for consultation period of 60 days.

8. Guidance Documents

The NNHPD will create a Questions and Answers document on Plain Language Labelling for non-prescription drugs and will include information on Brand Name Assessment.

9. Bilateral Meetings

Bilateral meetings will be held to encourage dialogue between NNHPD and its key industry and healthcare practitioner stakeholders.

• Bilateral meetings are proposed to take place between May and June of 2017.

10. Chemicals Management Plan (CMP)

The CMP assesses environmental and human health risks posed by chemical substances, and develops and implements measures to prevent or manage those risks. Some substances that are assessed under CMP are ingredients (medicinal or non-medicinal) in natural and non-prescription health products.

Draft screening assessments are published for a 60-day public comment period in the Canada Gazette. Information on how to submit comments will accompany the draft screening assessments. If you would like to be notified when draft screening assessments are published, you can subscribe to receive the latest news on the Government of Canada's chemical substances website.

11. Compliance Monitoring Projects

The Regulatory Operations and Regions Branch (RORB), in response to the Evaluation of the Natural Health Products Program, will plan and implement a pro-active compliance monitoring project (CMP) that pilots on-site inspection of GMP compliance. The CMP will be informed by pre and post-market risk intelligence to target highest risk regulated parties and will include laboratory testing.