Natural Health Products

A 2010  Ipsos-Reid survey shows that 73% of Canadians regularly take natural health products (NHPs) like vitamins and minerals, herbal products, and homeopathic medicines.

What are Natural Health Products?

Under the Natural Health Products Regulations, which came into effect on January 1, 2004, natural health products (NHPs) are defined as:

• Vitamins and minerals
• Herbal remedies
• Homeopathic medicines
• Traditional medicines such as traditional Chinese medicines
• Probiotics
• Other products like amino acids and essential fatty acids

NHPs must be safe to use as over-the-counter products and not need a prescription to be sold. Products needing a prescription are regulated as drugs under the Food and Drug Regulations.

What Information can you find here?

This section contains natural health product information tailored to reach a wide-ranging audience.

Consumer

• A new approach to natural health products
• About Natural Health Products
• About Natural Health Product Regulation in Canada
• Report a Side Effect (Adverse Reaction)
• Licensed Natural Health Products Database
• Exempted Products Database
• Natural Health Products Ingredients Database
• Contact the Natural Health Products Directorate
• Stay Connected

Industry

• A new approach to natural health products
• Guidance Documents - on all aspects of regulatory requirements
• Applications and Submissions - application forms, guidelines and templates
• Natural Health Products Online Solution - apply online for licenses and authorizations
• Fact Sheet - Schedule A Health Claims for Natural Health Products
• Licensed Natural Health Products Database
• Exempted Products Database
• NHPD monographs

Subscribe to the Natural Health Products Directorate Electronic Subscriber Service to receive notices and updates on the activities and documents of the Natural Health Products Directorate

Health Canada's Role

Through the Natural Health Products Directorate, Health Canada assures that all Canadians have ready access to a wide range of natural health products that are safe, effective and of high quality.

We assess all natural health products before letting them be sold in Canada. We also check that NHPs are properly manufactured (without contamination or incorrect ingredients). And we do post-market monitoring to make sure that NHP Regulations are being followed.