Letter to the Editor regarding article "Safe or Unsafe? Canada's risky Natural Health Products Regulations," by Shawn Buckley (Alive Magazine - December 1, 2012)

2012-189
December 12, 2012

Buckley's Alive article does readers a disservice by using vague innuendo and hyperbole to create fear and mislead consumers about the true nature of Natural Health Product (NHP) regulation in Canada.

Health Canada's approach to natural health products is specifically designed for NHPs - not pharmaceuticals - and the number of NHPs available continues to grow every year.

Our work is guided by the understanding that NHPs are lower-risk products and must be treated accordingly. Recently, Health Canada put forward new tools and streamlined pathways to reduce red tape for companies to bring NHPs to market, while maintaining consumer safety.

Sadly, myths suggesting otherwise continue in spite of our efforts to dispel them publically. On Health Canada's website there is a page specifically devoted to Myths and Facts about NHPs. The fact is that today Health Canada has authorized for sale over 60,000 NHPs (compared with about 8,200 prescription medications).

Buckley is crying wolf - there simply is no crisis.

Sincerely,
Adam Gibson
Natural Health Products Directorate
Health Canada

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