I would like to respond to recent letters to the editor about Bill C-51 and natural health products (NHPs). Bill C-51 is an update to the Food and Drug Act, which has not been updated in over 40 years; it does not focus solely on NHPs.

That said, allow me to address some concerns and inaccuracies raised over NHPs and Bill C-51. I believe in choice in health care. In fact, while Minister of Health for Ontario, I pioneered recognizing traditional Chinese medicine and naturopathy as legitimate branches of medicine.

I also believe that NHPs should have their ingredients listed on the labels and shouldn’t make false health claims. These are common sense ideas that most industry partners are happy to, and already do, comply with. It is my responsibility as Minister of Health to protect the health and safety of Canadians, and I take that job very seriously.

It was said that I owned shares in a pharmaceutical company until a “very short time ago.” In fact, I proactively divested all interests two years ago, without direction from an individual or committee, because it was the right thing to do.

NHPs have been regulated as a unique category (not food or drugs) since 2004 and these regulations do not change under Bill C-51. Rumours about price increases or restricted availability of NHPs because of Bill C-51 are false. Additionally, an inspector will still require a search warrant to enter any private dwelling, such as a home. And the allegation that unpaid health-related advice would be a crime is untrue, and frankly, absurd.

The claim that Bill C-51 is designed to be easy on big pharma is entirely unfounded. Pharmaceutical companies would be required to be much more accountable; providing mandatory reporting of a drug during its life cycle, and mandatory adverse drug reaction reporting.

A major hole in the current Food and Drug Act is the Minister of Health’s inability to recall dangerous or tainted products, including NHPs. Just because a product is labelled “natural” does not imply it is inherently safe and effective. In the last few months, I’ve issued several warnings over dangerous NHPs that claim to do a variety of things such as increase sexual enhancement and cure epilepsy. Most of these drugs are imported from unknown manufacturers overseas and contain unlisted ingredients, many times heavy metals.

Responsible businesses have no cause to be concerned over Bill C-51; in fact, this bill will “level the playing field” for businesses which now have to compete with less responsible entities. A representative for Jamieson Laboratories stated to CBC Newsworld on Friday, May 9, “When you’re looking at safety and efficacy and truth of advertising, yes, we’re very supportive of Bill C-51.”

As MP for Parry Sound- Muskoka, I take issue with interest groups spreading misinformation to my constituents with the sole purpose of scaring them. There are some within the industry who do not want to be regulated at all, and who are trying to scare people to achieve their political goal.

I encourage everyone to visit www.healthycanadians.gc.ca  or call 1-866-891-4542 to find out the truth about Bill C-51.

Furthermore, to the letter writer who doubts chocolate milk’s place on Canada’s Food Guide; an eight-ounce serving of lowfat chocolate milk provides 300 milligrams of calcium — or 30 per cent — of the daily value for this vital bone-building nutrient.

Tony Clement,
MP Parry Sound-Muskoka, Minister of Health,
Port Sydney