| The Issue | | | | for a medical condition |
| More Canadians are using natural health | | | | interaction with prescription drugs, |
| products (NHPs). Health Canada has | | | | over-the-counter medicines, or other |
| developed new regulations that will help | | | | herbal products, which can result in |
| ensure that natural health products are | | | | other drugs having reduced or enhanced |
| well prepared, safe to use, effective | | | | effects, including side effects or |
| and come with instructions on how they | | | | overdose |
| are to be used. | | | | allergic reactions |
| Background | | | | With NHPs, there are additional aspects |
| Canadians are using natural health | | | | to consider, such as the possibility |
| products in many forms, including herbal | | | | that a plant species may have been |
| products, vitamin and mineral | | | | misidentified, that the amount of an |
| supplements, traditional Chinese, | | | | ingredient may vary from that stated on |
| Ayurvedic and other traditional | | | | the label or between batches, or that |
| medicines, and homeopathic preparations. | | | | the health-related claims may not be |
| While the effectiveness of NHPs is often | | | | appropriate for the ingredients. The new |
| supported by traditional use and | | | | regulations are intended to address |
| anecdotal reports, more frequently this | | | | these risks. |
| initial evidence is being measured by | | | | Minimizing Your Risk |
| contemporary medical science. | | | | Natural health products can have potent |
| Most NHPs have enjoyed a long history of | | | | effects on the body. While the intent is |
| safe use, and many people take some form | | | | for positive health effects, there is |
| of a NHP on a daily basis. Individuals | | | | also the potential for side effects. |
| often select NHPs to gain more control | | | | Therefore, before you take any |
| over and positively influence their | | | | self-selected or over-the-counter |
| health. When used appropriately, NHPs | | | | product, including a natural health |
| can be an integral part of an | | | | product, you should take steps to be |
| individual's health management. However, | | | | sure it is the correct product for you. |
| some people assume that because a health | | | | You may wish to ask yourself some of the |
| product is labelled "natural," it is | | | | following questions: |
| "safe." NHPs, like drugs, may have | | | | Why would I take this product? |
| potentially serious side effects. Any | | | | What are the benefits or results that I |
| substance, whether natural or synthetic, | | | | am seeking from |
| that has an effect on the body, has the | | | | taking this product? |
| potential to be a risk to health. | | | | Is this the best product or approach to |
| Children, pregnant or breastfeeding | | | | achieve those results, |
| women, seniors, those diagnosed with a | | | | or are there better alternatives? |
| serious disease or those scheduled for | | | | What is the evidence that supports the |
| an operation are particularly | | | | safety and effectiveness |
| susceptible to risk. | | | | of this product? |
| Health Canada has responded to concerns | | | | What are the risks associated with |
| that consumers need to have access to | | | | taking this product? |
| products that are safe and effective, | | | | If you are unsure of the answers, or |
| and to the information on how to best | | | | uncomfortable with your understanding of |
| use them. After extensive consultations, | | | | some of the issues, you should talk to a |
| new Natural Health Products Regulations | | | | health care professional, such as your |
| were prepared, and apply to these | | | | doctor, pharmacist, or complementary |
| products as of January 1, 2004. The | | | | alternative health care provider. |
| regulations, which will be phased in | | | | You can reduce your risk of adverse |
| over the next two to six years, cover | | | | effects by taking the following steps: |
| the way products are manufactured and | | | | Tell your doctor what you are taking and |
| brought to market, and the information | | | | why. |
| that is on the label. Natural health | | | | Use products that are approved. Look for |
| products that have been approved under | | | | a DIN, NPN |
| these regulations will either have a NPN | | | | or DIN-HM on the label. |
| or DIN-HM on the label (Natural Product | | | | Be sceptical about health-related claims |
| Number or Drug Identification | | | | for potentially serious conditions. |
| Number-Homeopathic Medicine). A NPN or | | | | Consult your doctor about the |
| DIN-HM lets the user know that the | | | | appropriate use of these products. Do |
| product has undergone and passed a | | | | not rely on company advertisements or |
| review of its formulation, labelling and | | | | package information. |
| instructions for use. | | | | Be aware of any reaction or interactions |
| With the new regulations in place, | | | | with other drugs you are taking. Report |
| manufacturers will label their natural | | | | any adverse reaction to your doctor. |
| health products with useful information | | | | Consult your health care provider before |
| such as what it should be used for, the | | | | giving a natural health |
| recommended dosage, the length of time | | | | product to a child. |
| you should take it, the ingredients, any | | | | Consult your health care provider before |
| known risk factors associated with the | | | | taking a health product if you are |
| product and other information. | | | | pregnant or breastfeeding, if you are a |
| The Possible Health Risks To Consider | | | | senior, have been diagnosed with a |
| When people use self-selected health | | | | serious disease or significant |
| products, whether conventional medicines | | | | previously diagnosed medical condition, |
| or NHPs, there are possible side effects | | | | or are scheduled for an operation. |
| or risks that must be considered. Some | | | | You are encouraged to report any adverse |
| of these are as follows: | | | | reaction or interaction involving any |
| taking a product for a self-diagnosed | | | | health product you take, including |
| condition that may be serious | | | | natural health products, other |
| absence or delay in receiving effective | | | | over-the-counter drugs, or prescription |
| supervised treatment | | | | medications. |