From the Globe and Mail:
Health Minister Tony Clement plans to reintroduce controversial legislation giving the federal government more oversight regarding the quality and safety of supplements, vitamins and other natural health products.
A spokeswoman for the minister, Laryssa Waler, said yesterday that Ottawa intends to go forward with new safety proposals to cover the booming and poorly regulated supplement field, but didn't offer a timeline.
The decision is likely to cause another pitched battle within the natural health products industry, where one major player, Jamieson Laboratories, yesterday issued a public call for stricter regulations.
It argues that current rules are so lax that Ottawa can't even order harmful products off store shelves and is only able to issue toothless health advisories.
The earlier legislation, known as bill C-51, prompted a vociferous campaign by some smaller health-products companies that said it would lead to government restrictions on the types of supplements available on the market. The bill died when the election was called. ...more
Showing posts with label Bill C-51. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bill C-51. Show all posts
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Firms back campaign against health bill
From the National Post:
When Tony Clement, the Health Minister, agreed last week to revamp a contentious health-products bill, he cited an opposition movement that had spread virus-like across the Internet, garnered broad and sympathetic media attention and spawned protests from Penticton to Parliament Hill.
The Web-based campaign touched a nerve with its dire warnings of an impending clampdown on users of herbs and other natural remedies.
But was the crusade that prompted Mr. Clement's climbdown truly the citizen uprising it appeared to be?
In fact, some of the campaign's alarming criticisms of Bill C-51 were themselves a matter of debate. And the seemingly grassroots movement has been driven largely by two controversial natural-health companies embroiled in drawn-out legal battles with Health Canada. One sells an unlicensed vitamin treatment for bipolar disorder, the other herbal "heart drops" for cardiac disease. ...more
When Tony Clement, the Health Minister, agreed last week to revamp a contentious health-products bill, he cited an opposition movement that had spread virus-like across the Internet, garnered broad and sympathetic media attention and spawned protests from Penticton to Parliament Hill.
The Web-based campaign touched a nerve with its dire warnings of an impending clampdown on users of herbs and other natural remedies.
But was the crusade that prompted Mr. Clement's climbdown truly the citizen uprising it appeared to be?
In fact, some of the campaign's alarming criticisms of Bill C-51 were themselves a matter of debate. And the seemingly grassroots movement has been driven largely by two controversial natural-health companies embroiled in drawn-out legal battles with Health Canada. One sells an unlicensed vitamin treatment for bipolar disorder, the other herbal "heart drops" for cardiac disease. ...more
About-face on natural health products
From the Victoria Times Colonist:
In a surprising about-face, Health Minister Tony Clement has agreed to key demands of the natural health products industry after the sector launched a grassroots campaign against restrictions on homeopathic medicines and herbal remedies in new legislation.
When Clement proposed amendments to the Food and Drugs Act in April, natural medicines were lumped in with pharmaceutical drugs, raising concerns they would be subject to the same type of oversight. He now admits it was a mistake not to create a separate category under the law.
"My attitude is a bill is a work in progress. Let's see whether we are clearly getting out the things that we want to do in a particular bill. In this case, obviously protecting the health and safety of Canadians was and remains the motive for the bill," Clement said in an interview Friday. ...more
In a surprising about-face, Health Minister Tony Clement has agreed to key demands of the natural health products industry after the sector launched a grassroots campaign against restrictions on homeopathic medicines and herbal remedies in new legislation.
When Clement proposed amendments to the Food and Drugs Act in April, natural medicines were lumped in with pharmaceutical drugs, raising concerns they would be subject to the same type of oversight. He now admits it was a mistake not to create a separate category under the law.
"My attitude is a bill is a work in progress. Let's see whether we are clearly getting out the things that we want to do in a particular bill. In this case, obviously protecting the health and safety of Canadians was and remains the motive for the bill," Clement said in an interview Friday. ...more
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Clement calls natural-health claim "absurd"
From the Georgia (BC) Straight:
Health Minister Tony Clement has struck back at claims by lawyer Shawn Buckley in last week’s Georgia Straight that his proposed regulations in Bill C-51 would result in a Canada-wide death toll of “tens of thousands” or more.
“It’s absurd, it really is,” Clement told the Straight by phone on June 9. “We can disagree on public policy, but to use that kind of language is really over the top and regrettable.”
Buckley, a Kamloops-based constitutional lawyer, spoke at a June 2 downtown event organized by the Health Action Network Society in opposition to Clement’s health bill before the House of Commons.
During his speech, Buckley—also president of a group called the Natural Health Products Protection Association—claimed that Clement’s bill would result in more natural health products (or NHPs) being regulated off the market due to strict licensing and labelling laws as well as more stringent policing of the industry and greater Health Canada enforcement powers. ...more
Health Minister Tony Clement has struck back at claims by lawyer Shawn Buckley in last week’s Georgia Straight that his proposed regulations in Bill C-51 would result in a Canada-wide death toll of “tens of thousands” or more.
“It’s absurd, it really is,” Clement told the Straight by phone on June 9. “We can disagree on public policy, but to use that kind of language is really over the top and regrettable.”
Buckley, a Kamloops-based constitutional lawyer, spoke at a June 2 downtown event organized by the Health Action Network Society in opposition to Clement’s health bill before the House of Commons.
During his speech, Buckley—also president of a group called the Natural Health Products Protection Association—claimed that Clement’s bill would result in more natural health products (or NHPs) being regulated off the market due to strict licensing and labelling laws as well as more stringent policing of the industry and greater Health Canada enforcement powers. ...more
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Critics blast new rules for natural remedies
From the Globe and Mail:
'Most of the herbal remedies for sale in Canada may soon be illegal."
"Canadian parents who give their children vitamins could face arrest."
"Federal agents will enter private property and fine mom-and-pop stores $5-million for arbitrary offences."
These are some of the questionable claims being spread online and through e-mail as part of a strident campaign led by the natural-health industry against the federal government's proposed changes to improve the quality and safety of natural health products in Canada.
One website makes the exaggerated claim that Canadians may lose the right to buy natural health products under the new law.
More than 40,000 people have joined several Facebook groups created to oppose amendments to Canada's Food and Drugs Act, known as Bill C-51. Several websites have popped up in recent weeks asking Canadians to sign petitions and call their members of Parliament to protest against the changes, which they say will ban up to 75 per cent of herbs and vitamins in Canada.
But in reality, medical experts say the changes probably won't have a major impact on the way natural health products are marketed and sold in Canada. In fact, they may finally bring accountability to a largely unregulated industry that has typically been able to market products with little proof of their effectiveness and limited safety guarantees, according to Lloyd Oppel, a physician responsible for health promotion at the British Columbia Medical Association. ...more
'Most of the herbal remedies for sale in Canada may soon be illegal."
"Canadian parents who give their children vitamins could face arrest."
"Federal agents will enter private property and fine mom-and-pop stores $5-million for arbitrary offences."
These are some of the questionable claims being spread online and through e-mail as part of a strident campaign led by the natural-health industry against the federal government's proposed changes to improve the quality and safety of natural health products in Canada.
One website makes the exaggerated claim that Canadians may lose the right to buy natural health products under the new law.
More than 40,000 people have joined several Facebook groups created to oppose amendments to Canada's Food and Drugs Act, known as Bill C-51. Several websites have popped up in recent weeks asking Canadians to sign petitions and call their members of Parliament to protest against the changes, which they say will ban up to 75 per cent of herbs and vitamins in Canada.
But in reality, medical experts say the changes probably won't have a major impact on the way natural health products are marketed and sold in Canada. In fact, they may finally bring accountability to a largely unregulated industry that has typically been able to market products with little proof of their effectiveness and limited safety guarantees, according to Lloyd Oppel, a physician responsible for health promotion at the British Columbia Medical Association. ...more
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Concerns raised about proposed bill
From the Toronto Star:
Every week, Daniel Chiang, a nutritionist and clinic owner at the Inspired Life Health Centre on Danforth Ave., treats more than a dozen patients, offering them "alternative medicine options" to help heal ailments ranging from the flu to digestive problems.
Sometimes, he suggests home remedies; other times it may be a nutritional supplement. He has always been able to recommend or suggest as he chooses. But now he worries this could change with Bill C-51, legislation – making its way through Parliament – that will modernize the Food and Drugs Act for the first time in over 50 years.
"There is a lot of uncertainty around the bill and how it will impact access to natural health products. No one seems to be quite sure," Chiang said. The confusion has generated controversy. Earlier this month, hundreds of people turned up at rallies across the country to protest the bill. ...more
Every week, Daniel Chiang, a nutritionist and clinic owner at the Inspired Life Health Centre on Danforth Ave., treats more than a dozen patients, offering them "alternative medicine options" to help heal ailments ranging from the flu to digestive problems.
Sometimes, he suggests home remedies; other times it may be a nutritional supplement. He has always been able to recommend or suggest as he chooses. But now he worries this could change with Bill C-51, legislation – making its way through Parliament – that will modernize the Food and Drugs Act for the first time in over 50 years.
"There is a lot of uncertainty around the bill and how it will impact access to natural health products. No one seems to be quite sure," Chiang said. The confusion has generated controversy. Earlier this month, hundreds of people turned up at rallies across the country to protest the bill. ...more
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Natural health care industry rebuked over claims about new bill
From the Calgary Herald:
Health Minister Tony Clement says the natural health products industry is scaring consumers unnecessarily with claims that the government plans to outlaw popular homeopathic medicines and herbal remedies.
"They are scaring people and it's not borne out by the intent of the legislation or the wording of the legislation," Clement said Monday in an interview about proposed amendments to the Food and Drugs Act, currently being debated in Parliament.
The Natural Health Products Protection Association has launched a campaign arguing licensing requirements are already overly stringent and coming changes will mean up to three-quarters of all natural health products on the market will become illegal.
The association, which represents manufacturers, says the proposed legislation "reads like a police-state manual" and the "real danger in regulating them is to 'over-regulate' them off of the market." ...more
Health Minister Tony Clement says the natural health products industry is scaring consumers unnecessarily with claims that the government plans to outlaw popular homeopathic medicines and herbal remedies.
"They are scaring people and it's not borne out by the intent of the legislation or the wording of the legislation," Clement said Monday in an interview about proposed amendments to the Food and Drugs Act, currently being debated in Parliament.
The Natural Health Products Protection Association has launched a campaign arguing licensing requirements are already overly stringent and coming changes will mean up to three-quarters of all natural health products on the market will become illegal.
The association, which represents manufacturers, says the proposed legislation "reads like a police-state manual" and the "real danger in regulating them is to 'over-regulate' them off of the market." ...more
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Natural health products facing tighter regulation
From CTV News:
People who fear that proposed changes to the Food and Drugs Act will lead to tighter restrictions on natural health products will gather for a protest at Queen's Park in Toronto this weekend.
Saturday's demonstration will follow rallies held on Thursday and Friday in other cities across the country.
Opposition to Bill C-51, which proposes changes to language within the Act, is mainly coming from those who fear it will make it harder for consumers to purchase natural health products.
The bill was put before Parliament on April 8, and is an attempt by the government to update regulations for food, drugs and cosmetics and includes "medical devices, drugs, cells, tissues, organs, vaccines and veterinary drugs, as well as natural health products," Health Canada spokesperson Paul Duchesne told CTV.ca. ...more
People who fear that proposed changes to the Food and Drugs Act will lead to tighter restrictions on natural health products will gather for a protest at Queen's Park in Toronto this weekend.
Saturday's demonstration will follow rallies held on Thursday and Friday in other cities across the country.
Opposition to Bill C-51, which proposes changes to language within the Act, is mainly coming from those who fear it will make it harder for consumers to purchase natural health products.
The bill was put before Parliament on April 8, and is an attempt by the government to update regulations for food, drugs and cosmetics and includes "medical devices, drugs, cells, tissues, organs, vaccines and veterinary drugs, as well as natural health products," Health Canada spokesperson Paul Duchesne told CTV.ca. ...more
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