Natural Health Products Update

Canadian Society of Homeopaths

NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCTS:
IMPORTING HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINES

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According to policy revisions announced by the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD), professional homeopaths are permitted to import most homeopathic medicines as long as they are for prescription use only. This new interpretation covers both liquid medicating potencies and dry medicated pellets for use by homeopaths in their practice.

For details of the NHPD policy decisions affecting the importation of homeopathic medicines, please refer to the Compounding Policy and Raw Material Policy on their website.

NHPD regulations do not permit professional homeopaths to import home-use remedy kits, however. Because these kits contain directions for use, Health Canada views these as retail products for resale purposes, which require a special site licence.

Some homeopathic orders containing liquid medicating potencies have been seized and destroyed by Canada Post, which has restrictions on handling items with high-level alcohol content. To avoid similar problems when importing liquid homeopathic medicines, arrange for shipping by courier, rather than the regular postal service. Dry remedies, however, will not be affected by the Canada Post restrictions.

ADVICE TO OUR PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS
When importing homeopathic medicines for professional use, CSH Registered and Associate members are advised to specifically instruct foreign pharmacies to clearly identify the package with a declaration: "For Compounding Use Only by Professional Homeopath". For orders that contain liquid medicating potencies, also instruct the pharmacy to use an international courier, rather than postal mail.

Should difficulties arise with the importation of homeopathic products, our professional members are advised to send details about the contents, entry point, and date of seizure to our office at homeopathy@csoh.ca or 604-803-9242. Our Political Action team will offer guidance for future orders and, when appropriate, will investigate your situation with NHPD, while maintaining your anonymity.