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Melissa Sheldrick

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 30, 2023
Context: Department of Health's Regulatory Changes for Natural Health Products Committee Business (HESA) - Oct/30/23
Ms. Melissa Sheldrick (Patient and Family Advisor, Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada)
  • 11:13:13 a.m.
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Health Canada estimates there are over 200,000 natural health products available to Canadians on the market, and consumers expect them to deliver and monitor safe products. Consumers have many choices when they are trying to self-select products off the shelf and while this choice may be welcome, it can be overwhelming. Consumers have to do their own research about the products they buy, which can be difficult for many Canadians. It can also be challenging to do this research at the point of selection. I would like to draw your attention to the image that we sent to you of the label from a container of protein powder. This label has elements of safe label design, and we have a green arrow on the image pointing to the facts table, which is clear and easy to read. The red arrow is pointing to the section of the label that describes the cautions. This is where there is important information regarding the use of the product, such as the conditions under which people should not use the product. This warning section must be made more prominent. In 2016, I lost my 8-year-old son, Andrew, to a medication error made during the preparation of this liquid medication from a prescribed pharmaceutical powder, and one of the contributing factors was the design of the label, which was improved by the manufacturer soon after. ISMP Canada has made recommendations for labelling of pharmaceutical powders, and we have created guidelines for the labelling and packaging of prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs and natural health products. All labels are important and there are principles for safe label design, for example, the prominence of critical information and legibility of key information, that can and should apply to all of these labels. The changes recommended by Health Canada will result in key steps towards addressing the concerns reported by consumers and health care providers. In addition, consumers think that this is already happening. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
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