Advocacy

Why NOW advocates

Many of the freedoms we enjoy today are taken for granted, including the freedom to purchase dietary supplements and natural health products.

Before January 1st, 2004, Canadian natural health products (NHPs) were sold as either drugs or food under the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations because there was no other category under which to classify them. As more and more Canadians began to use NHPs, it became obvious that neither classification (as either a drug or food) was appropriate, and that a new policy which would directly address the unique nature of NHPs was needed.

How our industry is regulated

The term natural health product (NHP) is used in Canada to describe substances such as vitamins and minerals, herbal medicines, homeopathic preparations, energy drinks, probiotics, and many alternative and traditional medicines. NHP are obtainable without a prescription and are required to be safe to be used as an over-the-counter product.

Natural health care products are currently regulated under the Natural Health Product Regulations, under the authority of the Food and Drugs Act. The regulations address the sale of natural health products, manufacture, packaging, labelling and importation for sale of natural health products, the distribution of natural health products, and the storage of natural health products. Under the regulations, all natural health products require a Natural Product Number (NPN), analogous to the Drug Identification Numbers (DINs) used to identify and monitor drugs in Canada.

For more detailed information about our Canadian Regulations:

Other health advocacy organizations

These independent organizations support health freedom and have information on the science and safe use of natural foods, dietary supplements, and complementary therapies.

Consumer Advocacy Organizations:

Trade Organizations:

How can you help?

Support keeping natural supplement and NHP products available without a doctor’s note.

Currently, natural supplement products (over-the-counter medication, cosmetics and NHPs) are current as risk of being labelled the same as pharmaceutical drugs by Health Canada. This new proposal will force many NHPs off your shelves and the ones left will drastically rise in price.

Support CHFA and the NHPPA by showing your support and filling out their online petition.

https://chfa-website-wordpress.ind.ninja/advocacy/nhps-save-our-supplements/

https://nhppa.org/take-action/

Building a relationship with your legislators improves access and communication during difficult times.

Visit nowfoods.com to read about our Advocacy efforts in the U.S. https://www.nowfoods.com/about-now/advocacy