We Need Your Help- Bill C-51

Federal legislation tabled on April 8, 2008. It proposes significant amendments to the Food and Drugs Act. Bill C-51 has been designed to place nutritional supplements under the same regulations as drugs. Drugs and natural health products will all be called "Therapeutic Products"—a designation used until now only for drugs. The bill defines a practitioner in such a manner that NDs will be denied access to natural health products deemed prescription therapeutic products.

This bill does not have the interests of the people at heart. In addition to reclassifying and restricting the availability of natural health products, it proposes sweeping new powers of enforcement with increased penalties including the ability to enter business establishments without a warrant.  In addition, academic freedom is endangered as research into the effectiveness of natural health products will require the permission of Health Canada regulators.