WORKPLACE WELLNESS
New law protects access to natural remedies
Intent is to reduce over regulation There is a book on natural health that has been part of my first-aid kit and for many years has provided
much useful information in times of need. In it, are many tried and true natural remedies for everything from cranberry for cystitis (bladder infection) to milk thistle for liver disorder.
Currently, I can find almost all of the
natural substances in Prescription for Nutritional Healing – A practical A-Z reference to drug-free remedies using vitamins, minerals, herbs & food supplements at my local health food store. But this freedom is in jeopardy because of a
little known battle on the international stage at which Canada is in the forefront.
How many people have heard of Codex Alimentarius?
Unless you are part of the food trade industry you most likely have no idea. But if you
take any natural supplements, as many Canadians do, then your freedom to do so without the intervention of a pharmacist is at risk.
Created in 1963, Codex Alimentarius is a sub-committee of the United Nation, mandated to establish
guidelines on food trade issues. Its main purpose, according to the UN, is to protect the health of consumers and to ensure fair trade practices in the food trade. Noble cause, but many wonder if it’s the interest of the pharmaceutical
industry that is being protected.
In 1998, in compliance with Codex, all health food products were moved from the food category to the drug category. This decision was made behind closed doors by Health Canada and came as shocking
news for many working in the health industry.
This regulation, now enforced for one year, requires that all health food products be approved by Health Canada. In Germany, where a similar law has been in effect for many years now,
one cannot get high dosage vitamin C or E over the counter, and in most cases consumers have access only to a synthetic form of vitamin, which is more difficult for our bodies to assimilate, also the cost is much higher.
This
flies in the face of the societal trend (especially in health-conscious Vancouver) where a growing numbers of Canadians are voting with their wallets in favour of natural and organic products.
But two Canadian Members of
Parliament are on the forefront of the battle against this legislation.
In 2003, James Lunney, Conservative MP for Nanaimo-Alberni, brought Bill C-420 to the house. Put on hold since the last election, it’s new sponsor Colin
Carrie, MP for Oshawa, succeeded in bringing it back to the forefront. Bill C-420 would place Natural Health Products under food-style directorate rather
than a drug-style one, as currently intended. The bill also aims to remove acts that prevent health products from making health claims.
“With Bill C-420, we could still have Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), inspections, and
evaluation of claims, but overseeing it would be a more appropriate food-style directorate, one that better understands the history and culture of such products, which by their nature are not patentable” Lunney said.
Lunney and
Carrie, both trained chiropractors, have a long history in health care. They know first hand of the benefits of products that have been used historically with no adverse effects.
According to Lunney’s parliamentary assistant Dave
McEachern, the Bill does not take issue with regulation, but rather regulations in proportion to issues of safety.
McEachern says the legislation as it now stands, favours multinational companies because of the time and cost
involved in the approval process. Of the 5,000 applications received for approval, only 350 products have been processed. This is a costly and time-consuming procedure both for government (about $24 million federal spending so far) and
for companies who need to comply.
Big pharmaceutical companies are lobbying heavily to prevent Bill C–420 from passing. It is in their interest to have supplements be under the drug categories since it gives them more control
over pricing, dosage and the ability to patent products.
If the proposed bill were to fail, it would lead to thousands of people losing their jobs and the closure of most health food stores in Canada according to Terry Morris of
Genesis Nutrition. He says 90 percent of stock on their shelves would be illegal.
While many countries are giving way to Pharmaceutical pressure, Canada is setting another tone. Lunney says the bill is a major step in the right
direction for health care reform. Bill C–420 supports the informed use of natural health products and greater freedom of choice in personal health care.
Health product under food style directorate will keep our ability to get
something as trivial as vitamin C above 30 milligram at the store without prescription.
In March 2005, parliament passed the second reading of Bill C-420, bringing hope to those who oppose to overregulation of natural products.
It will now be brought to the Health Committee and from there it will come back to the house for a third and final reading.
More than150, 000 Canadians have signed a petition in favour of the Bill, which would preserve the right
of Canadians to have simple access to natural products. If you wish to support this process contact your local MP. |
