Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) six-month calendar of activities: July to December 2016

This calendar presents an overview of anticipated NNHPD review activities, publications, workshops and meetings, for the period covering July to December 2016.

The Directorate will make every effort to complete the following list of activities within the timeline provided. However, projects may change or be delayed due to shifting priorities.

This document is intended to supplement other information on activities provided by the NNHPD. Visit us at What's New to find information on new and recent releases.

1.0 Consultations

Some of the documents listed below may be published in final form during the same six-month period, depending on the length and timing of consultations.

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

The NNHPD will launch a consultation on a new approach to self-care products in Canada. This consultation will be an opportunity for Canadians to provide feedback at an early stage on policy proposals under consideration.

Monographs

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 licence applications.

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

Further to the announcement related to the Class II expansion pilot released in May 2015, the NNHPD is no longer considering expanding the Class II definition but continues to explore other changes and improvements to the management policy.

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.

Guidance Document

Drug Facts Table for Non-prescription Drugs (Fall 2016).

2.0 Final Publications

• A report of findings from public opinion research on Canadians’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to consumer health products will be published on the Library and Archives Canada website by the end of August 2016.
• Multi-Vitamin/Mineral Supplements
• Acne Therapy monograph
• Acetaminophen labelling standard
• Alpha lipoic acid abbreviated labelling standard
• Plain Language Labelling Questions & Answers for non-prescription products
• Several documents will be updated to clarify submissions for disinfectants used in food establishments.

3. Workshops and meetings

• Bilateral meetings with industry stakeholders are held regularly. Dates are set in collaboration with each association.

4. Update from previous calendar

• Following the final publication of Site Licensing guidance documents and forms in December 2015, the NNHPD hosted a series of webinar information sessions in January and February 2016 that focused on key revisions and updates to the site licensing guidance documents and forms. Site Licence Service Standards now apply to all applications received after April 1, 2016.
• In May 2016, the NNHPD moved to its new location at 250 Lanark Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9. More information can be found on the Health Canada website.
• "What we Heard," a summary of the 2014-2015 consultation on the Consumer Health Products Framework, was posted on April 1, 2016.