News Release
1999-46
March 26, 1999
Minister Rock accepts all 53 recommendations made in the Standing Committee report on natural health products, establishes new Office of Natural Health Products and announces funding for research
TORONTO - Health Minister Allan Rock today announced that he is accepting all 53 recommendations made by the Standing Committee on Health in its report on natural health products. The announcement follows the tabling of the government's response to the Standing Committee on Health Report, "Natural Health Products: A New Vision" in Ottawa today.
In accordance with the Standing Committee's report, the Minister also announced the creation of a new Office of Natural Health Products (ONHP) that will provide Canadian consumers with the assurance of safety while enhancing consumer access and choice to a full range of natural health products. $7 million will be allocated over the next three years to establish the new office.
 "The creation of the new Office for Natural Health Products is a major step forward for consumers," Minister Rock said. "For the first time, there will be a dedicated group of professional experts who will treat the evaluation of health products with the distinctiveness and flexibility it deserves."
The new Office of Natural Health Products will be responsible for all regulatory functions within the life-cycle of natural health products, including but not limited to:
- pre-market assessment for product licensing;
- licensing of establishments;
- post-approval monitoring and compliance, and
- implementation of the Standing Committee's recommendations.
In October 1997, in response to the increasing role that natural health products play in the lives of Canadians, Minister Rock asked the Standing Committee to conduct a full public review and provide a vision including the legal regime governing natural health products. The objective of the review was to ensure a balance between Canadian's freedom of choice with respect to natural health products and the assurance of consumer safety.
"I want to thank all members of the Standing Committee on Health for their hard work and the extensive consultations they conducted across the country," Minister Rock said. "I am extremely pleased to accept all 53 of the report's recommendations."
In addition, the Minister also announced $3 million over 3 years in research funding on natural health products and complementary medicines. This will, in part, foster the development of research proposals for funding consideration from other granting agencies, e.g. Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). In addition, Health Canada will be pursuing collaborative research opportunities in the area of natural health products with academic institutions across Canada.
A Transition Team will be created by the Minister within the next 30 days to:
- identify broad policy directions for the new Office;
- help define the work being carried out by the Office - including research; and
- consult relevant stakeholders on the policies and guidelines necessary for the regulatory framework for natural health products - in accordance with the Standing Committee's report.
- help identify candidates for the office of Executive Director of the Office of Natural Health Products;
- assist the Executive Director in the establishment of a new Expert Advisory Committee.
The consultative approach of the Transition Team will ensure the transparency needed to build the public confidence in a new approach to regulating natural health products. The Transition Team will consist of 10 individuals with a range of expertise and experience in the industry.
The ONHP will be supported by an Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) as recommended by the Standing Committee on Health. Other advisory committees and/or working groups will be designated as required.
In October 1997, Minister Rock placed a moratorium on regulations which were to come into effect the next year. Pending the advice from the new Office and input from other experts, the moratorium continues to be in place.
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