Are herbal medicines really useful?
Canada supports the determination by the World Health Organization (WHO) that the use of medicinal plants is important in the health care system of any country. Hundreds of herbal products are legally available on the Canadian market. In recent weeks, Canadian consumers and practitioners have expressed concerns about regulations of and accessibility to herbal medicines in Canada. In response to these concerns, a panel will be established to review the regulatory framework for herbal products. Consultations with herbal and traditional medicine specialists, consumers and other stakeholders will also occur. Have herbs been reclassified so that they now require a DIN or GP? Under the legislation, if a manufacturer wanted to sell a medicinal herb or market a herb with drug claims, it has always required a Drug Identification Number (DIN) or General Public (GP). If a product defined as a drug under the Food and Drugs Act was sold without a DIN or GP, it was not in compliance with Canadian la
