Upcoming Natural Health Product Regulations Workshop

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Ag-West Bio Inc. will host the third in a series of three workshops on compliance with the new federal regulations for natural health products (NHPs) on November 30 in Saskatoon.

“These workshops are designed to help companies reach compliance with the new regulations during the six-year transition period. These regulations affect manufacturers, packagers, labelers, distributors and importers of natural health products,” says Ag-West Bio’s Dr. Carol Ann Patterson.

The regulations cover product licensing, site licensing, mandatory good manufacturing processes, clinical trials, and amendments to licensing and enforcement, among other things, explains Patterson.

“We are now in year two. By December 31, all companies selling natural health products in Canada must have a site license. Because there is so much information, we have contracted an experienced company from Winnipeg, PharmEng Technology Inc., to deliver these workshops.”

The November 30 workshop will include a general overview of the regulations regarding quality, safety and efficacy. The type of products covered will include single ingredient, combination and monograph, as well as traditional and non-traditional products. The types and categories of product claims will be looked at, as well.

“Aspects like quality requirements will be addressed in terms of standards for specifications and testing. The assessment and presentation of the evidence for natural health products will be featured, along with some case studies,” Patterson says.

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to understand the quality technical requirements and how to set up specifications and testing. They will have become familiar with natural health products’ safety and efficacy evidence requirements. They will also be able to perform literature searches, and understand how clinical and observation trials are conducted. Participants will be able to carry out risk assessments and to present evidence to Health Canada for review.

“We are quite pleased with the level of participation for the workshops,” Patterson notes. “Both large and small companies are attending these training opportunities. Understanding and complying with the regulations ensures growth of the natural health products industry in the province.”

The workshops are funded by the Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Saskatchewan (ACAAFS) Program, which is funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

The workshop takes place in the Span and Candle Rooms at 111 Research Drive, Innovation Place, in Saskatoon, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To register, contact Krista Dennis, Special Projects Manager for Ag-West Bio, at (306) 668-2656 or krista.dennis@agwest.sk.ca.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Carol Ann Patterson
Ag-West Bio Inc.
(306) 668-2692
www.agwest.sk.ca

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