Robert Thibault moved, — Whereas:
The current regulatory regime for Natural Health Products was created in accordance with the recommendations of the 1998 report, Natural Health Products - A New Vision, of the Standing Committee on Health;
The Health Minister has indicated his opposition to the passage of Bill C-420;
The Committee heard convincing, science-based testimony from witnesses who have indicated their support for the current Natural Health Product Regulations. It is clear, based on the evidence, that regulating natural health products as foods would have a detrimental impact on consumers;
The Regulations ensure safety through an appropriate level of oversight, permit a full range of evidence-based health claims, and ensure high quality through outcome-based good manufacturing practices;
The Natural Health Product Regulations ensure increased access to safe, effective and high quality natural health products;
The Regulations reflect the desire of Canadians to develop a regulatory framework appropriate to address the risks associated with natural health products;
The implementation of Bill C-420 would cost the federal government significant dollars to create a new regulatory framework;
Health Canada is taking action to modernize Section 3 and Schedule A of the Food and Drugs Act to reflect scientific and medical advances and to ensure that Canadians have access to reliable product information to make informed decisions about their health.
Specifically:
Health Canada is convening a Scientific Advisory Panel in June 2005 to review and update the diseases and conditions listed on Schedule A in order to reflect current scientific understanding. The Panel will ensure that Schedule A can keep pace with evolving scientific knowledge by defining criteria for making additions and deletions to the list with greater transparency and consistency.
Health Canada intends to permit evidence-based risk reduction and symptomatic treatment claims for Schedule A diseases and conditions through an amendment to the Food and Drug Regulations. This will ensure consumers’ access to information regarding preventing or reducing the risk of developing certain diseases, but would still lead consumers to seek professional advice for treating serious diseases. Canadians will be consulted on this proposed amendment by November 2005.
Therefore, be it resolved that this Committee, pursuant to Standing Order 97.1, recommends that the House of Commons do not proceed further with Bill C-420, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (definitions of “food” and “drug”).