Health Canada Updates Natural Health Product (NHP) Labelling Terms

Health Canada Updates Natural Health Product (NHP) Labelling Terms

Health Canada has expanded the labelling flexibility available to natural health products (NHPs) and certain non-prescription drugs through an updated List of Interchangeable Terms.  Announced in Natural Health Product Licensing Bulletin No. 12 on August 20, 2026, the update allows companies to use clearer or more consumer-friendly language without necessarily changing the meaning…
Read More
Health Canada Proposes a Streamlined Pathway for Certain Low-Risk Non-Prescription Drugs 

Health Canada Proposes a Streamlined Pathway for Certain Low-Risk Non-Prescription Drugs 

Health Canada is proposing a streamlined authorization pathway for certain low-risk non-prescription drugs in Canada. Eligible List D products that fully comply with an applicable Health Canada monograph could be exempted from Division 8 “new drug” requirements and instead apply for a Drug Identification Number (DIN) under Division 1. The proposal may…
Read More
Industry Insight: June 2026 Update: Health Canada Provides Updates on Human Drug Submission Workload Management

Industry Insight: June 2026 Update: Health Canada Provides Updates on Human Drug Submission Workload Management

As of June 2026, Health Canada is advancing workload management measures intended to address human drug submission backlogs, improve review predictability, and support more transparent communication with sponsors. These measures include enhanced communication protocols, expanded reliance approaches, HTA alignment, and operational review efficiencies, while maintaining Health Canada’s review standards for…
Read More
Industry Insight: June 2026 Update: Health Canada Discusses GMP Inspection Trends, Quality System Expectations, and Compliance Priorities for DEL

Industry Insight: June 2026 Update: Health Canada Discusses GMP Inspection Trends, Quality System Expectations, and Compliance Priorities for DEL

On Tuesday June 23, 2026, at the Pharmaceutical Sciences Group’s (PSG) 9th Annual Day with Health Canada, Karolina Zarichna from Source Nutraceutical, Inc. (SNI) attended discussions on recent Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) inspection trends and compliance expectations for Canadian and foreign drug establishments.  Health Canada provided insight into inspection observations…
Read More
Health Canada Melatonin Update: Pediatric Use to Become Prescription-Only 

Health Canada Melatonin Update: Pediatric Use to Become Prescription-Only 

Health Canada has announced an amendment to the human use section of the Prescription Drug List for “melatonin or its salts.” Effective June 2, 2026, melatonin products sold for sleep-related use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age will be classified as prescription drugs under the Food and Drug…
Read More
Health Canada Adds New Ingredients to the Prescription Drug List

Health Canada Adds New Ingredients to the Prescription Drug List

Health Canada has announced updates to the Prescription Drug List (PDL) that affect both human and veterinary drugs. This amendment introduces four new medicinal ingredients that now require a prescription and revises the conditions under which benzoyl peroxide is considered prescription-only for human use. These changes are effective immediately as…
Read More
April 2025 Additions to Health Canada’s Prescription Drug List (PDL): What You Need to Know 

April 2025 Additions to Health Canada’s Prescription Drug List (PDL): What You Need to Know 

When most people think about prescription drugs, they may not consider the regulatory framework that determines which medicines are available only by prescription. But in Canada, this distinction is critically important and tightly governed by Health Canada through its Prescription Drug List (PDL).  In a recent regulatory update published on…
Read More
How to License a Sunscreen Product in Canada — Step-by-Step for NHPs and NPDs 

How to License a Sunscreen Product in Canada — Step-by-Step for NHPs and NPDs 

Sunscreen is more than a summertime staple; it's a frontline defence against premature aging, sunburn, and skin cancer. As consumer awareness around sun protection continues to grow, so does the demand for innovative, high-quality sunscreen products. But behind every tube on a drugstore shelf lies a rigorous regulatory journey. In…
Read More
How to Get a Drug Identification Number (DIN) in Canada — A Guide for Importers and Manufacturers 

How to Get a Drug Identification Number (DIN) in Canada — A Guide for Importers and Manufacturers 

Entering the Canadian pharmaceutical market requires more than just a good product—it requires regulatory approval. If you’re planning to sell prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, medicated shampoos, or sunscreens in Canada, you’ll need a Drug Identification Number (DIN) issued by Health Canada.  The DIN is not just a tracking number; it’s…
Read More
Understanding Sunscreen Licensing in Canada — Regulatory Pathways and Health Canada’s Role

Understanding Sunscreen Licensing in Canada — Regulatory Pathways and Health Canada’s Role

Over the years, research has consistently highlighted just how important sunscreen is in a daily skincare routine. Some people were ahead of the curve, protecting their skin from harmful UV rays long before sunscreen became a non-negotiable part of everyone’s morning regimen. But what many don’t realize is that bringing…
Read More