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Government over-reach on Natural Health Products is not unique to Canada. It's happening in other countries as well. Regrettably most individuals are unaware of the regulatory shifts that are taking place.
What are these regulatory shifts that are being unrolled globally? As we write this, Health Canada is threatening to crush our Natural Health Product Industry by implementing restrictive, expensive and unjustified regulations.
Many people believe regulations are needed for 'safety'. Pharmaceutical drugs are responsible for the death of many people each year – so an argument could be made for having regulations in place to warrant the risk versus reward. We are told Natural Health Products need to be regulated for our safety. Is this true?
We have a much greater chance of dying by a lightning strike than we do a natural health supplement. Far more people die annually by consuming peanuts. Yet peanuts are not regulated. What do you think?
Coming soon to a country near you…
Canada is on a global stage when it comes to natural health product regulation. How will we, as Canadians respond to Health Canada? Does freedom of choice matter to us?
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CANADIANS! YOUR VOICE has power. But time is running out.
Tell Health Canada what you think of their plans to crush the Natural Health Product Industry. Health Canada is asking for our input. We have until April 25, 2024 to tell them what we think.
Health Canada is in the process of replacing our current natural health product regulations with a new plan, called the Self-Care Framework. The primary goal of the new plan is to integrate the regulation of chemical drugs and natural health products.
What does this mean? This change is expected to devastate the natural health industry, resulting in the loss of products, less innovative products, rising costs and reduced access to natural health practitioners.
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Overall, Canadians are losing the right to choose how they treat their bodies to promote health and prevent illness.
The Natural Health Products Protection Association (NHPPA) is leading a nationwide campaign to stop the Self-Care Framework
On March 27th, NHPPA's Shawn Buckley and Veronica Jean attended Health Canada's engagement session on Revisions to the Proposed Fees for Natural Health Products. The purpose of this meeting was to reviewHealth Canada's proposed revisions to the fees and to continue engaging stakeholders about the effects of Cost Recovery.
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In short, Health Canada announced the following changes to their Cost Recovery plans:
Reducing fees by 50% by limiting planned additions to their enforcement programs
Lowering fee ratios for the first four years
Phasing in fees over seven years starting December 2025
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Let us be clear: THIS IS NOT A WIN!
Although Health Canada has framed these proposed fee reductions as their response to industry needs, what was also heard during that meeting included:
Despite proposed fee reductions of 50%, multiple natural health product manufacturers stated they would need to pull 40-90% of their products from the Canadian market.
Multiple manufacturers would be forced to cease operations in Canada entirely.
Despite first announcing the initiative SEVEN years ago, Health Canada still has yet to provide a draft of the full Self-Care Framework, which will include additional layers of fees, surely pushing even more natural health product businesses out of Canada.
Access, choice, cost, health freedom... are all in jeopardy under Canada's Self-Care Framework.
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This is where your voice comes in
Join the NHPPA on their nationwide campaign to stop Health Canada's 'Self-Care Framework' initiative.
Under Health Canada's Self-Care Framework:
We will lose natural health products, companies and eventually natural health practitioners.
The imposed fees will drive small and medium NHP businesses/practitioners out of business.
Prices will increase as will removing products from store shelves.
People relying on natural health products will no longer be able to afford them.
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DEADLINE: APRIL 25
It's clear the stakes are high for the natural health product industry in Canada. Please click the link below to voice your concerns about the over-regulation of an industry that is safer than many foods. You have up to April 25th. Let's continue to stand together to advocate for policies that support rather than hinder our access to natural health products. Your voice matters and we invite you to participate by submitting your feedback.
We suggest writing your feedback in your own voice and send to your MP too:
"I do not support these new revisions at all. Natural Health Products historically are absolutely safe and should be regulated as foods. As a Canadian I am getting tired of the excessive over-reach of our government to regulate every area of our lives. It is a complete waste of taxpayer's money.
Not only that but excessive regulations increase the price of products - which have already dramatically increased in price since you started regulating this industry. All for what? What benefit have Canadians received from government regulating the industry? I cannot think of one. What we have received is less products on the market due to the cost of meeting the regulations; increased pricing so that many cannot afford to take supplements which impact Canadians health; and now these new regulations will put even more Canadians out of business meaning less products for consumers at even higher prices. All of that equals zero benefits to Canadians and increases the costs to Canadians in terms of our health and our pocketbook.
Do the right thing and cancel these new regulations ... and at the same time throw the current natural health regulations out the window ... and regulate them as foods. This will encourage small farmers & small business people to provide innovative products to help Canadians live a healthy life. Live up to your name Health Canada!!"
Pressure Your MP
Did you know? The only power your local MP has in Parliament, are letters they receive from you. Find out how?
Shawn Buckley recently sat down with Del Bigtree of The HighWire to discuss the battle to save Canada's natural health products... under threat due to Health Canada regulations.
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Support the Campaign
The NHPPA works to protect natural health products and practices. As one would imagine, it takes significant funding to help them finance their campaigns. If you're interested in supporting them, we encourage you to do so.
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