The office of MP Karina Gould responded to a concerned constituent with the same Health Canada talking points we’ve heard hundreds of times.
Here’s why we disagree:
Misleading Safety Statistics:
Health Canada’s safety statistics are NOT based on a random sample of the natural health industry. They specifically targeted 75 products already flagged as problematic, skewing the data.
Existing Powers:
Health Canada already possesses the necessary powers to address any safety concerns related to natural health products.
Funding from Taxes:
Unlike pharmaceuticals, natural health products are already taxed. These taxes can and should fund regulatory oversight activities.
Impact of Cost Recovery:
Imposing cost recovery fees on the natural health industry will inevitably lead to higher product prices, adding an extra burden on Canadians who rely on these products.
Market Impact:
Despite proposed fee reductions, several manufacturers have indicated they would need to remove 40-90% of their products from the Canadian market due to increased costs.
