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Context: Department of Health's Regulatory Changes for Natural Health Products Committee Business (HESA) - Oct/30/23

11:57:58 a.m.
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Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you to our witnesses for their patience. We're all concerned about the viability of the natural health products industry.

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Context: Department of Health's Regulatory Changes for Natural Health Products Committee Business (HESA) - Oct/30/23

Mr. Brendan Hanley

11:58:40 a.m.
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Is it better now?

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Context: Department of Health's Regulatory Changes for Natural Health Products Committee Business (HESA) - Oct/30/23

Mr. Brendan Hanley

11:58:52 a.m.
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Once again, thank you, Mr. Chair. Look, I just want to emphasize that we're all concerned about the viability of the natural health products industry, just as we're concerned about the safety of Canadians. First, I want to call out my colleague for calling into question the integrity of Dr. Sharma as Health Canada's chief medical adviser. To call her testimony “misinformation”, even if there is disagreement over what she said, is frankly outrageous. I want to just clarify that—

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Context: Department of Health's Regulatory Changes for Natural Health Products Committee Business (HESA) - Oct/30/23

Mr. Brendan Hanley

11:59:54 a.m.
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Thank you. What Dr. Sharma said, or was trying to make the point about, was that, if natural health products are making claims against serious diseases and people believe these claims, they may be using those treatments instead of treatments that could potentially help their own condition or that of their loved ones. That was the context for what Dr. Sharma said. Using the word “misinformation” associated with her is to call into question her integrity. I also know that my Conservative colleagues are equally concerned, if not outraged, at some of the regulatory gaps that we presently experience with natural health products and that Health Canada and the Minister of Health are currently trying to address with these changes. Let me quote the testimony from some of my Conservative friends at last year's public accounts committee when they looked at this issue. Conservative MP Jeremy Patzer asked Health Canada officials: “Why aren't the penalties higher on those manufacturers who fail to meet Health Canada's standards? ...The maximum fine for violating the law is only $5,000. It just seems like it's not a large enough deterrent to stop the bad actors from violating the rules that have been imposed.” MP Philip Lawrence asked, “Do you not find this disturbing, and are there any products out there right now that are supposed to be recalled and are not?” MP Jeremy Patzer asked, “Again, when we're seeing things such as, literally, every single site had issues but it's only a $5,000 deterrent for having contaminants in your product, what is the level of the sense of urgency to actually get some real, strong deterrents and actual teeth that are going to prevent bad actors from taking advantage of Canadians...?” He goes on to ask, “What are you guys going to do and what is the level of urgency to make sure that we actually get real teeth...?” Further to that, MP Patzer asked, “How do we make sure Canadians are confident in the products they're buying, when there are so many holes, gaps and issues, whether they be contaminated products, expired products or not even knowing where these products are manufactured or where they're coming from?” Look, we called this meeting to hear from witnesses to get evidence on the very questions that were being posed about getting the balance right between product safety and the viability of the natural health products industry, and in fact its ability to thrive with complete consumer confidence. That's why we called this meeting to hear from witnesses with various points of view. It is on that note that I move that the debate now be adjourned.

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