Health Canada licensing of natural remedies 'a joke'

[mentalfloss]

Health Canada licensing of natural remedies 'a joke'

Popular over-the-counter remedies, approved by Health Canada as "safe and effective," may be supported by little to no scientific evidence that the products work, an investigation by CBC’s Marketplace reveals.

Canadians spend $2.4 billion a year on natural health products.While some products may have clinical trials or other scientific evidence to support their claims, many do not require any scientific proof, and there’s little way for consumers to tell the difference.

"It's frustrating that the government standards are not protecting the public the way they should be," Dr. Matthew Stanbrook, deputy editor of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), told Marketplace co-host Erica Johnson.

"If you want to sell a natural health product and you don't want to do the science to prove that it works, then don't claim that it works," Dr. Matthew Stanbrook told Marketplace co-host Erica Johnson. (CBC)

This is "lending the veneer of approval to something that really hasn't demonstrated the science."

To test how little evidence is required to get Health Canada to license a product, Marketplace created a children’s remedy, applied for approval and received a licence.

Manufacturers need a Health Canada licence number in order to sell their natural health product. Once a product is licensed, manufacturers can claim it is approved as "safe and effective."

The investigation found that even a remedy making serious health claims — such as the ability to reduce children’s fever — can acquire a licence with no scientific evidence.

Pharmaceutical drugs require years of clinical research before they are approved for sale. But Health Canada allows natural health product manufacturers to make similar health claims based on traditional medicine or homeopathic use, instead of scientific evidence.

...more..

http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/health/health-canada-licensing-of-natural-remedies-a-joke-1.2992414

 

[Cliffy]

People who use natural remedies don't care if the government approves of them or not. Many of these remedies have served human needs for generation and some, for thousands of years. More people die from scientifically tested and approved pharmaceutical drugs every year than from illegal drugs like heroin and cocaine. And yes, like in any business, their are charlatans. It up to the individual to do their own research into the ethics of the companies they are dealing with. I prefer to wild craft my natural remedies.

 

[mentalfloss]

They are talking about scientific validation.

If there is no evidence that a natural 'remedy' works, then it should not be sold as such.

 

[Cannuck]

They are talking about scientific validation.

Is there is no evidence that a natural 'remedy' works, then it should not be sold as such.

Supporters of natural and homeopathic medicine are not particularly interested in science. It's a religion.

 

[Cliffy]

They are talking about scientific validation.

If there is no evidence that a natural 'remedy' works, then it should not be sold as such.

There are a ton of scientific studies done that prove the medical benefits of cannabis but it is still illegal in Canada. Many other studies have been done on other herbs and still Big Pharma tries to make them illegal because they cannot put a patent on natural plants. I don't need science to prove that Plantain, for example, will cure an infected splinter because I have used plantain for over 45 years successfully. Similarly, I have used Mullein to cure colds and clear my lungs of mucus for the same period of time. How do I know these things, because I studied them and experimented with them for years. Science does not have all the answers and can be fudged to suit whoever is paying their salaries. Health is our personal responsibility. We will never get better by giving that responsibility to others. Big Pharma is interested in making profits not curing disease.

 

[Cannuck]

....I have used Mullein to cure colds ...

Well I'll be damned! Cliffy's discovered the cure for the common cold.

 

[Cliffy]

Well I'll be damned! Cliffy's discovered the cure for the common cold.

No, it's been around for thousands of years. I didn't discover anything and you are just being silly as usual.

 

[Cannuck]

No, it's been around for thousands of years. I didn't discover anything and you are just being silly as usual.

Don't be modest. You're the one claiming to have cured your cold with your potions. You should do the talk show circuit.

 

[DaSleeper]

There are a ton of scientific studies done that prove the medical benefits of cannabis but it is still illegal in Canada. Many other studies have been done on other herbs and still Big Pharma tries to make them illegal because they cannot put a patent on natural plants. I don't need science to prove that Plantain, for example, will cure an infected splinter because I have used plantain for over 45 years successfully. Similarly, I have used Mullein to cure colds and clear my lungs of mucus for the same period of time. How do I know these things, because I studied them and experimented with them for years. Science does not have all the answers and can be fudged to suit whoever is paying their salaries. Health is our personal responsibility. We will never get better by giving that responsibility to others. Big Pharma is interested in making profits not curing disease.

Quite a few of those remedies are seasonal..
One personal experience, while setting up tree stands at the end of august for the moose archery hunt in late september, I developed a bad case of heartburn...maybe a bit of a hang-over from the night before :lol:
I ate a hand full of chokecherries, and felt better real quick....so I picked a good batch, brought it home and dried them for later use...
Seems to work only fresh as I used it several times in the following years......

 

[mentalfloss]

There are a ton of scientific studies done that prove the medical benefits of cannabis but it is still illegal in Canada. Many other studies have been done on other herbs and still Big Pharma tries to make them illegal because they cannot put a patent on natural plants. I don't need science to prove that Plantain, for example, will cure an infected splinter because I have used plantain for over 45 years successfully. Similarly, I have used Mullein to cure colds and clear my lungs of mucus for the same period of time. How do I know these things, because I studied them and experimented with them for years. Science does not have all the answers and can be fudged to suit whoever is paying their salaries. Health is our personal responsibility. We will never get better by giving that responsibility to others. Big Pharma is interested in making profits not curing disease.

This particular issue has nothing to do with 'Big Pharma' and everything to do with the existing legislation.

Big Pharma would love to sell medical marijuana and government would love the tax revenue.

 

[Liberalman]

I heard if you get cat shiit and rub it on your knob it supposed to be better than viagra and it's natural too. They will be testing it as soon as they get the funding from Kickstarter.