January 7, 2002 – The proliferation of natural products and supplements on the market has led some organizations to take a serious interest in their regulation. In North America, two projects have just seen the light of day during the past year.
The first was born in Canada after two years of consultation with stakeholders and consumers and follows the creation of the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) – formerly the Bureau of Natural Health Products – affiliated with Health Canada.1 It focuses on NHPD registration of natural products, manufacturing practices, site licensing and labeling. The consumer will be able to read on the label, among other things, the purpose of the use of the product, the complete list of all its ingredients, medicinal or not with their exact name, the source of the medicinal ingredients (part of the plant used, by example), the recommended dose and method of administration, the risks associated with its intake and storage conditions.2
According to Health Canada, this project will allow consumers to make more informed choices in response to their needs while emphasizing quality, efficacy and safety. A research and public awareness program is also planned.
The second project comes from the US Pharmacopeia, a US non-governmental organization. It has been suggested and supported by the supplement manufacturers themselves to deal with the growing bad publicity about them. It offers a label of approval based on tests of different batches of products, audits to control manufacturing standards and spot checks on supplements that have been approved. Supplements considered toxic such as comfrey will be eliminated. This new label will give consumers the opportunity to ensure that the label accurately reflects the contents of the bottle.3
Critics of this program say that this label risks misleading consumers since it could be interpreted as a label of efficacy or harmlessness. In addition, as the financing is provided by the manufacturers, conflicts of interest could arise. Finally, the content of a verified batch does not guarantee that of the following batch.
This renewed interest in natural products and supplements is likely to increase the amount of research and therefore the information available about them. Note that the Canadian project is in consultation until March so that Canadians can vote on the subject.
Élisabeth Mercader – PasseportSanté.net
According to InteliHealth, December 18, 2001
1. Natural Health Products Directorate. [Consulté le 3 janvier 2002]. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb/onhp/
2. Health Canada. News Release 2001-136: Health Minister Allan Rock Announces Series of Measures to Help Canadians Make Safe Choices – Regarding Natural Health Products. [Consulté le 3 janvier 2002]. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca
3. US Pharmacopeia. Dietary supplements. [Consulté le 3 janvier 2002]. http://www.usp.org/
