Pubdate: Mon, 02 Nov 1998 Source: The Toronto Star (Canada) Page: A1, A16 Website: http://www.thestar.com Contact: 1998, The Toronto Star Author: William Walker, Toronto Star Ottawa Bureau Chief UPDATE NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCT RULES, REPORT URGES Canadians Deserve `Greater Access' OTTAWA - Canadians should have more access, information and personal choice in the use of natural health products, a new federal report concludes. ``We urge Health Canada to take immediate action to remedy apparent inconsistencies that unduly limit access to safe natural health products,'' says an 88-page report by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health. The confidential all-party report, obtained by The Star, is to be submitted to the House of Commons later this week and released publicly at that time. There is increased demand for natural health products in Canada, but the regulatory system in Ottawa cannot deal with the variety of products coming on to the market. For example, the committee found there are no naturopaths, herbalists, homeopaths or traditional Chinese practitioners of natural medicines working with Health Canada and that civil servants in the department are often ``openly hostile'' to approving products. The current regulation of these products is ``fraught with confusion'' and regulations are not uniformly enforced across Canada, it found. The Health Protection Branch closed its internationally recognized natural products division in 1991. As a result, some products have been banned from the Canadian market for reasons that are not apparent to consumers or experts in the natural health field. But the sale of health products has grown to an estimated $2 billion-a-year market in Canada and is increasing 15 per cent annually. ``Although we feel that the government has a responsibility to protect public health and safety, this should not be applied in a way that denies consumers access to products that they perceive to be necessary for their well-being,'' the report concludes. ``These therapies may be beneficial, but more importantly, witnesses stated that they enhance psychological well-being by increasing the level of control individuals have in the management of their health.'' Titled ``Natural Health Products, A New Vision,'' the report encourages the largest overhaul ever attempted in the way natural health products are sold in Canada, including vitamins, mineral supplements, herbal remedies, homeopathic products and nutraceuticals, or natural drugs. Its two major recommendations involve creating a new regulatory authority for natural health products within six months and to enforce strict new labelling guidelines that would include information about dosage, storage, side-effects, benefits, expiry dates, use in children and need to consult a doctor. Countries such as Australia, Britain, Germany and the United States all have standardized labelling requirements for natural health products but Canada does not. The as-yet unnamed regulatory authority would be staffed by persons with experience and expertise in the natural health products field. It would report to the Health Protection Branch within the federal department of Health Canada. The report was prompted by a request from Health Minister Allan Rock a year ago for the committee to consult the public about how Ottawa could provide consumers with more freedom of choice and access to such products, while ensuring safety. In order to properly create a new regulatory agency over the next six months, the report urges Rock to immediately appoint an expert advisory committee. To ensure safety, the new regulatory body would need to ask questions such as whether products will cause harm if taken, what are the side effects or risks with use, is the product as described on the label and can the product work as it claims to improve health. The committee of MPs rejected the notion that such products should be allowed to make health claims on a label without some form of evidence. But it argues for a new and more efficient product licensing system that allows products to more quickly reach the Canadian market when evidence backs up health claims. Once the report is filed with the House of Commons clerk later this week, it goes to Rock's office for decisions about which recommendations will be implemented. But since Liberal MPs comprise the majority of seats on the health committee, it is believed that the thrust of the report will be adopted. - ---