Proposed Fees For Natural Health Products
Posted June 22, 2023
Health Canada recently announced a consultation on Proposed Fees for Natural Health Products. The fees are being proposed as part of regulatory activities to recover a portion of the costs of the NNHPD’s regulatory activities, which to this point have been publicly funded. Health Canada has been charging fees for other health products, such as drugs and medical devices since the 1990’s. The Proposal is intended to bring NHPs in line with the fees charged for the other health products and is in response to the 2021 independent Auditor’s report titled Natural Health Products – Health Canada. Read the Auditor’s report HERE.
If implemented as proposed, the fees will have a significant negative impact on everyone involved in the natural health product sector, including naturopathic doctors and other health care practitioners who use NHPs daily to safely and effectively treat their patients.
The proposal can be read here: Proposed Fees for Natural Health Products.
What is the CAND doing?
The CAND has filed a submission in response to the consultation outlining our concerns and the impact the proposed fees will have on the naturopathic profession, naturopathic small businesses and naturopathic patients. The submission can be read here: CAND NHP Consultation Submission Letter
We continue our outreach to our government contacts, Members of Parliament and the Minister of Health, arranging and conducting meetings to outline our concerns and ask for their support in requesting the government reconsider its proposal or, suspend it until completion of the Self – Care Framework.
As well, we are still in regular contact with the CHFA and other leading industry associations, supporting the actions being taken by the CHFA to inform Members of Parliament and the public about the impact the proposed fees will have on the natural products industry.
What can NDs and patients do?
The CAND has prepared letter templates that NDs and patients can use in drafting letters to send to their Members of Parliament (MP). The templates, as well as a link to where people can find their MP, can be found below.
Template Letter for NDs – Option 1
Template Letter for NDs – Option 2
More materials will be provided as they become available.
We will keep members updated moving forward. If you have any questions please contact Executive Director, Shawn O’Reilly at [email protected]
Vaccine Injury Support Program
Posted June 8, 2021
In December of 2020, the federal government announced that it would be creating a vaccine injury program. On June 1, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) announced the launch of the Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP), to support Canadians who have experienced a serious and permanent injury after receiving a Health Canada authorized vaccine, including those for COVID – 19. The VISP is being administered by RCGT Consulting on behalf of the PHAC.
Details on eligibility, the claims assessment process and how to apply are available at
For those in Quebec, application must be made through the Government of Quebec Vaccine Injury Compensation Program – https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/advice-and-prevention/vaccination/vaccine-injury-compensation-program
Canadians who experience a side effect following vaccination with a COVID – 19 vaccine should contact their healthcare provider, including NDs, or their local public health unit who can then report it to Health Canada.
For information on vaccine safety and possible side effects go to: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/vaccination-children/safety-concerns-side-effects.html
Reporting Adverse Reactions
Posted June 8, 2021
Health Canada tracks all reported adverse reactions/side effects for all health care products. Unfortunately, adverse reaction reporting in Canada is extremely low and currently it is only mandatory for hospitals and manufacturers. Anyone can report an adverse reaction to a health or cannabis product. It is therefore very important that any reaction or side effect be reported whether by a consumer or their healthcare provider.
For information on how to report an Adverse Reaction to a drug, natural health product, vaccine, medical device, cannabis product or veterinary product, go to: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html
Access the Canada Vigilance Adverse Reaction Online Database at https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-database.html