The Homeopathic Community in Canada

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The homeopathic community in Canada is facing a challenge of enormous proportions. As of January 1, 2006, we will lose access to imported homeopathic medicines from most foreign manufacturers including Helios Pharmacy in the UK and Hahnemann Labs in the US. The only exceptions appear to be European-based companies with branches in Canada, such as Boiron.

We will also lose access to hundreds of single remedies that are currently available to homeopaths around the world.

HERE ARE THE FACTS
The Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) established regulations in June 2003 to control the manufacture, importation, distribution, and sale of all Natural Health Products (NHPs) including homeopathic medicines. The enforcement of all aspects of these regulations will be gradually phased in, with a completion date of January 2010.

The immediate problem facing us has been triggered by the deadline for enforcement of Site Licences (see http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodn...cations/licen- site-exploit/index_e.html). As of January 1, 2006, all businesses and individuals importing homeopathic products into Canada must have applied for a site licence. This involves establishing records and procedures for the distribution, handling, storage, and delivery of the homeopathic products and any “product recalls”, as well as demonstrating compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice requirements. Part of this process involves licensing all homeopathic products with Drug Identification Numbers (DINs), which will gradually be phased into Drug Identification Numbers for Homeopathic Medicines (DIN-HMs).

The DIN regulations have another devastating effect on the availability of homeopathic medicines, carried over from when they were regulated as drugs. NHP licensing will only cover those medicines that are included in one of the 4 major international Homeopathic Pharmacopoeias (US, European, French, and German), the combined totals of which are far less than 2,000 remedies. This means that well over one-third of the homeopathic medicines available to homeopaths in other countries will not be available in Canada.

It has been suggested that Canadian homeopathic manufacturers can increase their product lines and thus resolve the remedy shortfall caused by the importation restrictions. However, this is completely unrealistic as these companies are limited by the same narrow restrictions contained within the 4 international Homeopathic Pharmacopoeias. This argument also fails to recognize that many homeopaths have legitimate preferences for the manufacturing practices of some foreign companies.

The combined effect of the site licence and DIN/DIN-HM requirements will be:

* to limit access by homeopaths to all imported homeopathic medicines from Helios Pharmacy, Hahnemann Labs, and other foreign homeopathic manufacturers
* to interfere with a homeopath’s ability to effectively treat patients on par with counterparts in other countries
* to establish an environment in which some Canadian companies could create a monopoly and thereby increase the price of remedies
* to harm the livelihood of hundreds of homeopaths across the country
* to deny patients the right to obtain the full benefits of their homeopathic treatment
* to drive those patients who can afford it to seek treatment in other countries

Obviously the NHP regulations must be reversed. According to the advice of numerous sources, this can only be accomplished through legislation and that will only occur if the homeopathic community combines forces in a united effort to lobby Parliament.

It is up to each of us to contact our elected representatives to inform them of the grave consequences of these regulations on professional homeopaths and their patients. Ask them to support an immediate Moratorium (temporary cessation) on all NHP regulations affecting single homeopathic medicines until such time as mutually acceptable alternate structure and regulations can be developed that will give homeopaths access to all single remedies manufactured and licensed in other countries and to the full range of homeopathic medicines available around the world.

WHAT IS WCHS DOING?

West Coast Homeopathic Society has developed an initial strategy to draw attention to the effects of the NHP regulations, which we have shared with all other homeopathic organizations and schools in Canada.

The first step in our strategy is a Week-long Advocacy Blitz of our federal elected representatives to make them aware of the situation and the need for changes.

You can familiarize yourself with the NHP regulations, NHPD interpretations concerning homeopathy, and details about the WCHS response at http://www.wchs.info/PoliticalActionNHPRegulations.htm.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

A. We are asking every homeopath, student, and concerned individual to contact as many Members of Parliament as they can during a Week-long Advocacy Blitz, November 12 - 19, 2005.

* Write one basic letter and personalize individual copies for each recipient
* Mail the letter to every MP on your list (no postage required)
* Then send copies of each letter by mail, fax, or e-mail to the same people
* Phone their Ottawa office (there’s a toll-free number listed under Contact Information below)
* Phone their constituency office and ask to schedule a meeting with your MP as soon as possible in order to voice your concerns

Who to Contact:
* Your own MP and MPs of neighbouring ridings
* All members of the Standing Committee on Health
* Parliamentary leaders

See Contact Information below for addresses, phone & fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

What to Say?
Basically, we are asking for Parliament to act immediately to establish a Moratorium on all NHP regulations affecting single homeopathic medicines until such time as mutually acceptable alternate structure and regulations can be developed that will give homeopaths access to the full range of homeopathic medicines available around the world and to products from their manufacturer of choice.

See Guidelines for Submitting Your Response (below) for your letter and a sample letter.

B. We are asking every homeopath, student, and interested individual to keep track of who you contact and how.

At the end of the week, send a summary of your contacts to politicalaction@wchs.info. WCHS in turn will then e-mail each contact and remind them:

* of the issues facing Canadian homeopaths and their patients
* that they were contacted by a certain number of people about these issues
* that we hope we can count on their support
* that the contact people and our Society would appreciate an immediate reply

C. We encourage you to inform your patients, friends, and relatives about the implications of the NHP regulation on your ability to choose the best remedy for all your patients, on par with other homeopaths around the world.

If they are willing to contact their Members of Parliament, give them a copy of our Guidelines for Submitting Your Response, sample letter, and Contacts Information.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING YOUR RESPONSE

1. Familiarize yourself with the details from information and links on the WCHS Political Action page at

http://www.wchs.info/PoliticalActionNHPRegulations.htm

2. Prepare your comments in a separate document, then copy and paste this version into each letter and e-mail that you prepare. Address each letter/e-mail individually.

3. Establish your credibility by including the following personal information:

* Your name & credentials
* If applicable, a brief description of your training and practice, including the number of years you have committed to homeopathy and the kinds of cases you treat
* What homeopathy means to you personally
* How the NHP regulations affect your homeopathic practice:

1. Limits access to approximately one-third of the total remedies available in other countries

2. Will deny my freedom of choice to obtain remedies from foreign manufacturers due to onerous importation requirements

3. Restricts my ability to provide the best treatment to all of my patients, contrary to the fundamental precept of homeopathy, to restore the sick to health

4. Limits the ability of Canadian homeopaths to expand our knowledge of the homeopathic materia medica by restricting new remedies used for provings

* Your full mailing address and phone number

4. Specifically ask your MP to:

* support an immediate Moratorium
* stop all Natural Health Products regulations that pertain to single homeopathic medicines
* require that mutually acceptable alternate structure and regulations be developed by NHPD and representatives of the homeopathic profession

5. Make sure that your letter looks professional. Check for:
* grammar
* spelling/typos
* consistency of style, font type, and font size

6. Please e-mail a separate copy of your letter to WCHS at homeopathy@wchs.info so that we can keep track of the number that were sent by our members – this has proven to be an important back-up when we co-ordinated similar responses to the Office of Natural Health Products (1999) and Ontario’s Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Council (2005), some of which appear to have been misplaced and were not accounted for.

7. For greatest effect, send all your letters and e-mails during the week of November 12 to 19th, 2005.

Sample Letter for Homeopaths
Date
Your Name
Your Address
MPs Name
MPs complete address
Re: Natural Health Products Regulations
Dear (MP)

Introduce yourself: e.g., I am a homeopath practicing ) in __my area___ for ___ years.

Details about your education, your practice, the kinds of cases you treat, and the number of years you have committed to homeopathy.

What homeopathy means to you personally.

Explain the unique nature of homeopathic medicines: e.g., Homeopathy is a distinct system of medicine, a non-toxic and inexpensive method of health care used to treat millions of people around the world. It uses highly diluted natural medicines (remedies) to gently stimulate the body’s own innate healing abilities. These diluted medicines above the lowest potencies contain no chemical properties of the original substance.

Summarize how the NHP regulations will severely limit your ability to practice effectively: e.g.: Homeopathic products have been placed under the umbrella of the Natural Health Products Directorate, which has established regulations that will seriously impede my ability to practice effectively. These regulations limit my ability to obtain hundreds of remedies that are widely used around the world. They will also create a barrier that in January 2006 will make it impossible for me to obtain my medicines from foreign manufacturers of my choice, based on my legitimate preferences for their manufacturing practices.

Explain impact on your patients: e.g., These restrictions on the availability of homeopathic medicines will make it impossible for me to provide my patients with the high level of treatment options available by my counterparts in other countries. Those patients who can afford to will go to other countries for their treatment and those who can’t afford it will face the potential of not receiving the treatment they require.

Clearly state what you need MPs to do: e.g., It is essential that Parliament place an immediate Moratorium on the Natural Health Products regulations that affect single homeopathic medicines until mutually acceptable alternate structure and regulations can be developed by NHPD and representatives of the homeopathic profession.

Ask for their support in changing this situation.

Request an immediate response: e.g., This is a very urgent matter for all homeopaths in Canada and I will appreciate your prompt attention to these concerns.
Sign with your credentials.

Sample Letter for Individuals (Students, Patients, etc)
Include this with copies of Guidelines for Submitting Your Response and Contact Information

Date
Your Name
Your Address
MPs Name
MPs complete address
Re: Natural Health Products Regulations

Dear (MP)
Your reason for writing: e.g., I am concerned about the effects of the Natural Health Products regulations on the availability of homeopathic medicines. In order to treat my family and me effectively, my homeopath needs to have access to the full range of homeopathic remedies that are available in other countries around the world.

Add personal comments about why homeopathic treatment is important to you.

Clearly state what you need MPs to do: e.g., It is essential that Parliament place an immediate Moratorium on the Natural Health Products regulations that affect single homeopathic medicines until mutually acceptable alternate structure and regulations can be developed by NHPD and representatives of the homeopathic profession.

Ask for their support in changing this situation.
Request an immediate response.
Sign your name

CONTACT INFORMATION
1. Toll-free Government Phone Number

Call Information Services at 1-866-599-4999 and ask to be forwarded to the office of any MP or Senator. Speak to your representative’s Political Assistant (not the receptionist) and explain the situation confronting the homeopathy community. Offer to mail them information to help them better understand the unique nature of homeopathic medicines (gentle, non-toxic, and inexpensive). Ask for your MPs support of an immediate Moratorium on all Natural Health Product regulations affecting single homeopathic medicines.

2. Addresses, Phone, and Fax
Send individually addressed letters to your elected representatives (Members of Parliament) by letter, e-mail, or fax. Do not send group e-mails.

REMINDER: NO Postage is required for mailing letters to Members of Parliament!

For maximum effect it is our objective to write or phone ALL of the contacts listed below (Your MPs, Parliamentary Leaders, Standing Committee members)!

2.1 Your Member of Parliament
To find your local Member of Parliament:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/ab.../house/PostalC ode.asp?Language=E&source=sm
or
http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/senmemb...bers/CurrentMe mberList.asp?Language=E&Parl=38&Ses=1&Sect=hoccu r&Order=PersonOfficialLastName

2.2. Parliamentary Leaders
The Hon. Ujjal Dosanjh, MP
Minister of Health
Health Canada
Brooke Claxton Building, Tunney's Pasture
Postal Locator: 0906C
Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
Fax: 613 952-1154
E-mail: Minister_Ministre@hc-sc.gc.ca

The Hon Robert Thibault, MP
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Phone: 613-995-5711
Fax: 613-996-9857
E-mail: Thibault.R@parl.gc.ca

Right Hon Paul Martin
Prime Minister
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Phone: 613-992-4211
Fax: 613-941-6900
E-mail: Martin.P@parl.gc.ca

Hon Jack Layton, MP
Leader, NDP Caucus
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Phone: 613-995-7224
Fax: 613-995-4565
E-mail: Layton.J@parl.gc.ca

Hon Stephen Harper, MP
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Phone: 613-996-6740
Fax: 613-947-0310
E-mail: Harper.S@parl.gc.ca

In the Burnaby, BC area:
Svend Robinson
Box 54588, Middlegate RPO,
Burnaby, BC V5E 4J6
E-mail svend@svendrobinson.com

2.3. Standing Committee on Health (38th Session)
Mailing Address for all the following is:
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Bonnie Brown, MP
Chair, Standing Committee on Health
Phone: 613-995-4014
Fax: (613) 992-0520
E-mail: Brown.B@parl.gc.ca

Real Menard, MP
Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Health
Phone: 613-947-4576
Fax: 613-947-4579
E-mail: Menard.R@parl.gc.ca

Rob Merrifield, MP
Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Health
Phone: 613-992-1653
Fax: 613-992-3459
Merrifield.R@parl.gc.ca

Colin Carrie, MP
Phone: 613-996-4756
Fax: 613-992-1357
E-mail: Carrie.C@parl.gc.ca

The Hon Brenda Chamberlain, MP
Phone: (613) 996-4758
Fax: 613-996-9922
E-mail: Chamberlain.B@parl.gc.ca

Jean Crowder, MP
Phone: 613-943-2180
Fax: 613-993-5577
E-mail: Crowder.J@parl.gc.ca

Ruby Dhalla, MP
Phone: 613-995-4843
Fax: 613-995-7003
E-mail: Dhalla.R@parlgc.ca

Steven John Fletcher, MP
Conservative Health Critic
Phone: 613-995-5609
Fax: 613-992-3199
E-mail: Fletcher.S@parlgc.ca

Marcel Gagnon, MP
Phone: 613-995-4895
Fax: 613-996-6883
E-mail: Gagnon.M@parl.gc.ca

James D. Lunney, MP
Phone: 613-992-5243
Fax: 613-992-9112
E-mail: Lunney.J@parl.gc.ca

Michael John Savage, MP
Phone: 613-995-9378
Fax: 613-995-9379
E-mail: Savage.M@parl.gc.ca

Don’t miss this opportunity to join forces with other homeopaths across the country to make a significant impact on the awareness of federal politicians about homeopathy and the negative effects of the Natural Health Products regulations.

[Dr. Aamir Shahzad]

Recommend one or two method which we (Pakistani) can possibly do? We are ready to help our canadian homeopathic community.