Bill C-51 Update as of June 20, 2008

Bill C-51 is the controversial bill proposed to further regulate natural health products, as a continued update to my newsletter sent out last month I wanted to let you know where things are at to date. Here is the latest update from the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors.

Updates on Bill C-51

June 20, 2008

The House of Commons today broke for its summer recess.  As the debate on Bill C-51 was not concluded, it will now be moved to the fall sitting scheduled to begin on September 15, 2008.  Watch for a detailed update from the CAND early next week.

June 13, 2008

What is the status of Bill C-51?

Debate following second reading has not yet concluded.  If debate does not conclude before The House rises for its summer recess June 20, 2008, the Bill will be put over until the fall. If debate does conclude and The House votes to refer it to the Standing Committee on Health it is expected to be before the Committee for a minimum of four months. There will be no work done on Bill C-51 by the Committee until the House resumes sitting in the fall.

What has happened since the last CAND update?

CAND representatives together with representatives from provincial associations, regulatory boards and naturopathic schools attended Health Canada/stakeholder meetings across the country.  The following key points arose from the meetings and subsequent discussions and are of importance to NDs and their patients:

• The government has committed to the creation of a separate category for natural health products (NHPs).
• NHPs are defined as products that are safe for self-selection and available over the counter (OTC). Natural health products will continue to be regulated by the Natural Health Product Regulations and there is no intention to have prescription NHPs.
• Natural products/substances that are of higher risk, not suitable for self-selection, listed on a restricted schedule (i.e. Schedule F), or administered by puncturing the dermis fall outside the NHP regulations. Under Bill C-51, some natural products/substances may be designated as prescription therapeutic products while others that already require a prescription may become NHPs.
• Currently, NDs do not have prescribing rights in Canada and will not have access to any natural products/substances that are designated as prescription therapeutic products. Note: access to prescription products falls under provincial jurisdiction. The federal Ministry of Health regulates substances. The provincial Health Ministries regulate the practice of health care professionals and grant the controlled act/activity of prescribing.
• Moving forward Health Canada intends to be responsive to the provinces’ mandates to grant the authority to prescribe and dispense prescription products.
• The federal government does not intend to change the definition of “Practitioner” set out in Bill C-51. “Practitioner” is defined as someone who is authorized under the laws of a province to prescribe and dispense prescription therapeutic products.
• Health Canada will clarify the roles and responsibilities of inspectors.
• Health Canada is required to obtain stakeholder input into the drafting of the regulations that eventually accompany the Act.