I am posting excerpt from an email that was circulated among the West Coast Homeopathic Society. It describes laws that will take effect in Canada with respect to the importing of homeopathic remedies. Those on this list who are Canadian may want to take action and round up others that they know are supportive of Homeopathy to do the same. I did not post the entire email as it is far to large however anyone wanting to read more or to get sample letters and information on what they can do can email me privately.

Carol

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.gcca/dhp-mps/prodna...t/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.

Hi Carol:

Thanks for posting that. And yes, it is important to get involved. My only concern is this: sometimes attention to one facet of anything (in this case, healthcare) can often exacerbate the problem. My ultimate fear is that our government will make good on their promise from years back, to crack down on alternative medicine and the distribution of same. So far, they've been dragging their feet - to our enormous benefit. Still, while I'm not concerned for myself with respect to access of international remedies, I do realize for many that this could be tragic. We have here, in Toronto, what I consider to be one of best (and oldest - estab. 1868) homeopathic labs in the country: Thompson's Homeopathic Supplies. I have tried remedies from all over the world, and these hold up better than most in my estimation. I have been stocking up for the last year, building a small armamentarium so to speak, so that I'll feel comfortable in the event our goverment makes good on their promise.

As you know, our Minister of Health seems radically on the right when it comes to alternative medicine. I'm frightened to think of the direction this country may go in terms of healthcare. The free flu vaccine is a case in point.

Thanks again for bringing this to our attention Carol!

Martha
Brampton, Ontario

Hi Carol, List,

The dogs are starting to growl, it seems!

And as old Cato did:

They say in the email that *all* the people that will be affected by limitations on "homeopathic" remedies should act together. Well - what is it that I have been saying all along an specifically in the last few months?

The "growl" has also been heard in Europe. See the article in the Lancet - there were other things right here in Germany. All starting with the rumour that the WHO was going to recommend homeopathy.

The others cannot hold up much longer the myth that homeopathic remedies must be ineffective. Too much evidence to the contrary has been collected e.g. the Charite Hospital in Berlin did a clinical study on 3000 patients - not placebo controlled or anything, but the number tells a story, and the authorities are listening. More and more Insurance Departments providing the compulsory insurance part in Germany are accepting homeopathic treatment - only by MD's, but still.

So since they cannot hold on to their assertion that the remedies are just milk sugar with some alcohol-mixture added they will attack them on other grounds, try and limit them, ban them, make them unavailable at least to non-MD's, whatever. This should be as clear as mud.

And in many countries even the limitations to MD's would effectively kill homeopathy.

This is not a matter of method - be it combination remedies, be it single remedies -- all will be subject.

I think it is about time that the various groups realized this and stopped fighting among each other for supremacy. What is needed now is a common front - if it is not too late already.

Regards

Luise

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luise .... I think it is about time that the various groups realized this and stopped fighting among each other for supremacy. What is needed now is a common front - if it is not too late already.

May I add a loud AMEN to that!!

I think it is fine (and necessary) to "argue" among ourselves about finer points and boundaries and procedures and all, but we have to stand together and learn to work together, now more urgently than ever.

Shannon

Hello,

I think it would be very smart for Homeopaths in the USA and Canada to collect remedies for an uncertain future. I would suggest this in other places where their is a danger of restrictions. It would be a good idea to stash remedies in a safe place as there may come a time where homeopathy is driven underground. With the way the medico-industrial and military industrial complex are moving one may face new restrictions as well as compulsory vaccination and treatment by orthodox methods. Medical dictatorship is not out of the question.

Sincerely, David Little

There is a very real threat here in Australia that we may lose access to our nosodes and sarcodes in the future because of their preparation from animal matter. I think this could be true for many areas of the world. Has it already happened in Europe?

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Best regards,
Fran

YES!

In Germany all the rx that come from animal origin +the nosodes -- must be heated to more than 120 degrees (Celsius!) before they are potentised.

This may destroy the proteins of the base material.

Rafy

Hello Rafy,

Are you able to still import nosodes and sarcodes that have not been heat treated?


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Best regards,
Fran

Hi Fran,

I live in Israel so at the moment I can, but I do not import rx of animal origin from Germany; I buy them from the UK (where they are not heated yet as far as I know).

Best regards

Rafy

Hi David, List,

I wonder how many homeopaths would feel comfortable in an underground practice or even consider it.

I don't know about other countries, but in Germany one could find oneself in a lot of hot water if we dispensed banned or prescription drugs.

Regards

Luise