The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) policy on natural health products (NHPs) states that NHPs approved for sale under the Natural Health Products Regulations are not considered products for scheduling within the National Drug Schedules (NDS).

As previously announced, NAPRA agreed to delay the removal of single-ingredient ephedrine and pseudoephedrine from the NDS until Health Canada implemented a measure to address these ingredients, or by no later than June 28, 2024, with the understanding that Health Canada would be able to address concerns with those ingredients within that timeframe.

Health Canada has now implemented a measure to address these ingredients; therefore, NAPRA has proceeded with the removal of single-ingredient ephedrine and pseudoephedrine from the NDS.

In light of the above, as of June 10, 2024, all products with a Natural Product Number (NPN) or Drug Identification Number-Homeopathic Medicine (DIN-HM) from Health Canada are outside the scope of NAPRA’s NDS.

NAPRA believes the public interest will be best served through the development of a more comprehensive framework from the federal government that would better protect Canadians from the risks of the entire class of NHPs. As such, NAPRA will continue to engage in ongoing opportunities to further encourage the development of such a framework. More information on the background to NAPRA’s NHP policy can be found on the NAPRA website.