For the last 5 years alternative medicine therapies have been the mainstay of my life. I do not respond well to conventional therapies and I have multiple allergies. I live with chronic pain and I’m subject to acute pain crises. Among the causes I’m passionate about, is access naturopathic health care and homeopathic products and treatments. I’ve been very busy doing some political lobbying and I have some good news to share.
There has never been a death in Canada caused by a natural health product. Considering that there are multiple deaths every year caused by common foods such as peanuts and shellfish, it is clear that natural health products are extremely safe. In 2004 Natural Health Product Regulations were introduced, regulations that were Health Canada’s response to consumer demands for the government to protect their access to natural health products.
Bill C-51 was introduced into the House of Commons on April 8, 2008. Bill C-51 that caused a tremendous uproar. The major concern about Bill C-51 was that it considered natural health products as “therapeutic products,” just like prescription and non-prescription drugs. That meant licensing requirements could be quite strict, even for products that have been around forever.
Many Canadians myself included rely upon natural health products for their health. Almost three in every four Canadians consume natural health products - vitamins and minerals, homeopathic medicines, Chinese herbal preparations and the like. When you consider the health benefits of natural health products, it becomes clear that the real danger in regulating them is to “over-regulate” them off of the market.
Canadian citizens sprang into action demonstrating their outrage through letter writing campaigns, petitions, government lobbying and the like. They fueled a web-based campaign STOP C-51 and got the Health Minister and Parliament’s attention.
In a surprising about-face, two days ago Canada’s Health Minister Tony Clement has agreed to key demands of the natural health products industry after the sector launched a grassroots campaign against restrictions on homeopathic medicines and herbal remedies in new legislation.
When Clement proposed amendments to the Food and Drugs Act in April, natural medicines were lumped in with pharmaceutical drugs, raising concerns they would be subject to the same type of oversight. He now admits it was a mistake not to create a separate category under the law.
Now the government is proposing to insert a definition of natural health products into the Food and Drugs Act to “clearly recognize” that they’re distinct from foods and drugs under the law.
Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.
- Mahatma Gandhi
On that same day our Health Minister made his turn about, I sighed and stepped back from the Canadian scene, and happily submitted my entry to the fan page on DocNicole’s Kitchen Table Medicine site.
Having access your blog is like getting the keys to a treasure house richly stocked with naturopathic health and wellbeing information. I have benefited greatly from reading your articles pertaining to fibromyalgia, raynauds and arthritis. In addition, the diet you specifically prepared for people like me is just what my body needed. I love your sunny attitude and admire the way you encourage us to develop better eating and exercise habits and a positive attitude. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise and loving kindness online.
It’s a much appreciated blessing.
Namaste,
Timethief
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