On May 21st,  the NHPD released the Quarterly snapshot for Q4 indicating more streamlined review, aided by the release of new monographs. Readers of dicentra’s Regulatory Updates will know that […] Read More >>
Health Canada releases draft food-natural health product classification guidance document with additional classification information. When marketing and selling a food or natural health product in Canada it is important to […] Read More >>
The NHPD has introduced a new system for reviewing Natural Health Product (NHP) applications.  Submissions are categorized into one of three classes with different review times based on level of […] Read More >>
November 8, 2013 Phase I of the NHP Compliance and Enforcement transition period is ending December 1, 2013. Companies have been advised to ensure that they are familiar with and […] Read More >>
The NHPD has recently released the finalized version of the “Quality of Natural Health Products Guide”, superceding the “Evidence for Quality of Finished Natural Health Products” after a 3 month […] Read More >>
In December 2012, the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) released two new guidance documents to provide clarity on the evidence for safety and efficacy of natural health products (NHPs) required […] Read More >>
Aromatherapy is defined by the NHPD as the branch of botanical medicine which uses essential oils and other volatile/aromatic plant extracts for therapeutic or medicinal effect1. While essential oils and […] Read More >>
A nattokinase product (BXD Nattokinase Q) was recalled by Health Canada on October 29, 2012 (Health Canada 2012), citing a Section 7(d) Notice Of Refusal due to the possibility of […] Read More >>
The Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) has recently released new monographs for consultation based on pre-cleared information. The consultation period is open from September 25, 2012 until October 24, 2012. […] Read More >>
  Until recently, the medicinal ingredient “vinpocetine” was considered an unacceptable ingredient for use in natural health products (NHPs) in Canada, according to the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD), and […] Read More >>
  To date there are 350 Product Licence Applications (PLAs) outstanding that should have Temporary Marketing Authorization (TMA) applications in queue at Health Canada. As of September 30, 2012 regulatory […] Read More >>
For those involved in the natural health products (NHP) industry there is a new compound of interest known as raspberry ketones, that is gathering a great deal of attention as […] Read More >>
  Aspartame, also known as E 951, is an artificial sweetener that has been approved for use in foods and beverages in the European Union (EU), and as a flavour […] Read More >>
Coconut oil has recently garnered significant attention in the natural health products industry for some very marketable uses such as weight loss. However, the use of coconut oil is not […] Read More >>
Testing costs can add considerably to the overall production costs of natural health products. This is particularly true since the implementation of the Natural Health Product Regulations in 2004. Companies […] Read More >>
By Dr. John Harrison, PhD, MSc, BSc Senior Government Relations Advisor So you want to import a consumer health product from the U.S.A. to Canada. Good luck! There are many […] Read More >>
By: Ashleigh Hampton, MSc, Manager Scientific Affairs March 19, 2012 The Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) released the Evidence for Safety and Efficacy of Finished Natural Health Products (NHPs) guidance […] Read More >>
By: Manushvi Chadha, BPharm, RA Cert NHP, Cosmetic and Drug Regulatory Affairs Associate March 5, 2012 Project # 1663 is Health Canada’s new initiative for the purpose of adding certain […] Read More >>
By: Rupika Malhotra, MSc – Food, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Associate February 13, 2012 With the introduction of any new set of guidelines, regulations or changes impacting any sector of […] Read More >>
By William Morkel, Director of Quality & Compliance February 7, 2012 Sometime in early 2010 the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) decided to halt reviews of all product licence applications […] Read More >>