Letter to the Editor Calgary Herald regarding the Letter to the Editor entitled "Health Canada Hunt" (November 24, 2012, Lisa Fraser, Page A14)

2012-185
November 30, 2012

Health Canada's approach to natural health products (NHPs) is based on regulations, policies, and tools that were specifically designed for NHPs--not drugs.

Sadly, myths continue in spite of our efforts to dispel them publically on Health Canada's website where a whole web page is devoted to Myths and Facts about NHPs.

Our work is guided by the understanding that NHPs are lower risk products. Recently, Health Canada put forward new tools and pathways to reduce red tape for companies trying to bring NHPs to market, while maintaining consumer safety and access to a wide selection of products.

The fact is that today Health Canada has authorized for sale over 60,000 NHPs (compared with about 8, 200 prescription medications) and that number continues to grow. We believe that most Canadians would find this approach reasonable.

Sincerely,

Adam Gibson
Natural Health Products Directorate, Health Canada

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