Expanded communications mechanism. The Directors General of the Natural Health Products Directorate, the Therapeutic Products Directorate, and the Food Directorate meet on a regular basis to discuss emerging issues and policy initiatives related to natural health products. All three Directorates will continue to work together, share information, and ensure each Directorate has an equal voice and input into decisions and actions. Director Level Regular meetings take place at the Director level to discuss such items as product categorization, regulatory or compliance action being undertaken, appropriate approach to consultation with stakeholders, etc. The Directors also work together to discuss roles and responsibilities delineated via public warnings, adverse event reporting, media enquiries, enforcement issues, etc.
Meetings occur regularly.
These working groups have been established to ensure consistent efforts are being taken and to encourage dialogue by all parties at all levels in the decision-making process. A Communications committee within the Branch has recently been established to share communications ideas and ensure ways to coordinate outreach efforts. The Natural Health Products Directorate has met and is continuing to meet with stakeholders across Canada to seek their input on a proposed regulatory framework for natural health products. This is one of the efforts being undertaken to give stakeholders a voice in the regulation and decision-making process of natural health products. The Branch is committed to ongoing dialogue with stakeholders.