Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 1998; 3: 184
To outline ongoing debates in Canada on the regulation of herbal products. To use this debate to comment on the extent of “two cultures” in health care in Canada and to consider the nature of the Canadian “identity” and its relevance to the debates.
There has been much debate 1997–1998 on what are called natural health products, a term that covers “traditional” herbal remedies, along with nutraceuticals. An expert Advisory Panel on regulating natural health products, established by the Canadian Minister of Health, issued its report on proposed regulations in May 1998. This coincided with the preparation of another report on the same subject by a Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Health. Of special interest with regards to this parliamentary committee is the extensive testimony (oral and written) from scores of Canadians. Specifically, the presentation reviews the report of the Panel and the many hours of testimony before the Standing Committee. The diversity of attitudes to herbs and to their regulation are explored.
In discussing the likely outcome of the debates and, particularly the suggestion that there may be developed a “third” regulatory category, different from foods and drugs, it will be argued that the Canadian concern with compromise is an important consideration. The presentation develops some themes presented in J.K. Crellin, R. Andersen, and J.T.H. Connor, Alternative Health Care in Canada. Nineteenth- and Twentieth Perspectives, Toronto, 1997.
