Source: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/pubs/natur/eplaguide-eng.php
Timestamp: 2013-05-25 18:49:43
Document Index: 104893422

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Electronic Product Licence Application user manual
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Electronic Product Licence application form
Compendial from Generated Monograph Electronic Product Licence Application Form
1.0 Natural health Product Licence Application form overview
2.0 Recommendations for optimal results
3.0 Natural health electronic Products Licence Application form
3.2 Applicant and contact information (Part 1)
3.3 Application type (Part 2)
3.4 Site information (Part 3)
3.5 Product information (Part 4)
3.5.1 Product information overview
3.5.2 Non-compendial applications (excluding homeopathic) and compendial applications not from generated monograph
3.5.3 Compendial from generated monograph applications
3.5.4 Homeopathic applications
3.5.5 Product information summary
3.5.6 Applications with non-oral routes of administration
3.6 Label text (Part 5)
3.6.1 Label text editor
3.6.2 Edit and validate label text
3.6.3 Label text submitted separately
3.7 Animal tissue form
3.8 Product licence application (finalize)
4.0 Using the ePLA form after submission
4.1 Corrections to a submitted form
4.2 Post-licence activity
4.3 New application activity
Figure 1 - Progressive assembly of an ePLA
Figure 2 - Applicant or licensee information Figure 3 - Senior official information Figure 4 - Contact for this application information Figure 5 - Representative in canada information Figure 6 - Example of type of application Figure 7 - Reference submission information
Figure 8 - Master file information Figure 9 - Site information Figure 10 - Heading for product information
Figure 11 - Remove an existing medicinal ingredient
Figure 12 - New (empty) ingredient Figure 13 - Example of a successful ingredient search result Figure 14 - Ingredient names
Figure 15 - Basic information of the ingredient
Figure 16 - Source ingredient Figure 17 - Source material Figure 18 - Source material and strain
Figure 19 - Methods of preparation
Figure 20 - Potency 23
Figure 21 - Extracts and solvents
Figure 22 - Subingredient
Figure 23 - Non-medicinal ingredient information
Figure 24 - Ingredient(s) used in processing Figure 25 - Recommended use(s) or purpose
Figure 26 - Recommended dose
Figure 27 - Duration statement
Figure 28 - Risk information
Figure 29 - Nanomaterial ingredients information
Figure 30 - Cfgm heading
Figure 31 - Monograph search tool
Figure 32 - Example of medicinal ingredient after monograph data retrieval
Figure 33 - Block 'D' for compendial from generated monograph application Figure 34 - Valid combination of dosage form, units and method of preparation
Figure 35 - Dosage unit selection resulting from dosage form selection
Figure 36 - Error message from dose validation
Figure 37 - Error message from monograph validation
Figure 38 - Homeopathic Medicine Labelling Standard (HMLS) attestations
Figure 39 - Homeopathic specific attestations
Figure 40 - Homeopathic non-specific attestations
Figure 41 - Example of a homeopathic ingredient search result Figure 42 - Successful ingredient selection for homeopathic application
Figure 43 - Product information summary button Figure 44 - Product information summary report Figure 45 - Topical product - Part A
Figure 46 - Example of a topical product - Part D
Figure 47 - Front panel section
Figure 48 - Product license holder subsection
Figure 49 - A - Medicinal ingredient subsection
Figure 50 - D - Recommended conditions of use subsection
Figure 51 - Recommended dose subsection
Figure 52 - Risk information subsection Figure 53 - Provided by applicant subsection Figure 54 - Outer label text only section
Figure 55 - Security package subsection Figure 56 - Successful label text validation result Figure 57 - Successful label text validation in ePLA Figure 58 - Label text submitted separately checkbox
Figure 59 - Animal tissue form added message Figure 60 - Example of an attestation block Figure 61 - Successful form finalization message
Figure 62 - B. Post-licence change
Table 1 - Types of ePLA applications
The Electronic Product Licence Application (ePLA) form is for Natural Health Product Licence Applications and for post-license changes. The ePLA is designed to be completed on the applicant's workstation where it can be saved and retrieved at any time. Through an active Internet connection, the form can automatically access the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID) to provide drop-down selections of medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients and related information.
This user manual provides the information on how to successfully complete the ePLA form. The Product Licensing guidance document explains the terminology and appropriate information to be included in a natural health product (NHP) licence application. This guidance document also outlines the application requirements and submission process for each NHP application type.
For additional information not provided in this user manual, please contact Natural Health Products Online Support.
Following these recommendations will lead to optimal results when using the ePLA form.
Read through the entire user manual
While it may be strongly tempting to begin filling out the form right away, it is highly recommended to review this user manual first. This will enable you to gather the information you might need in advance in order to have it on hand when completing the form. It will also assist you in more quickly locating the answer you need should a question arise while completing the form.
To use this electronic form associated with the Natural Health Products Online System most effectively, be sure that your workstation meets the System Requirements.
Use the latest version of the ePLA
The NHPD is regularly updating the ePLA form to add new features and to improve efficiency. New releases are announced in advance; however it is always a good practice to check the NHPD website regularly for the latest version of the ePLA. You must always save the ePLA to your workstation and never work on the version through the internet browser.
Use the correct ePLA
There are now two ePLAs, and they are based on the application type. One ePLA is dedicated to applications of type Compendial from generated monographs (Cfgm) and is named 'Cfgm_ePLA'. The other ePLA must be used for all other application types and is named 'Regular ePLA'. Please save the appropriate ePLA to your workstation and never work on the version through the internet browser.
Configure the proper security settings
Your version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat may have default settings to provide heightened security for your work. However, some of these settings are incompatible with the more advanced features of the NHPD electronic forms. As a result, you may see a yellow pop-up bar across the top of the form or a pop-up box with a message like:
"Some features have been disabled to avoid potential security risks. Only enable these features if you trust this document"
"Error NotAllowedError: Security settings prevent access to this property or method".
To avoid these messages, please do the following:
Under the "Edit" menu, select "Preferences" and then "Security (Enhanced)"
Uncheck the "Enable Enhanced Security" box
To avoid potential security issues with your PDF forms, please make the following adjustment to your version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat:
Under the "Edit" menu, select "Preferences" and then "Trust Manager"
Uncheck the box under "PDF File Attachments"
If you have concerns about making these changes to your security settings, consult with your IT security advisor first.
Ensure Java Script is enabled
When Java script is not enabled in an ePLA, a number of errors or issues occur such as buttons not working, the inability to type in certain text fields, and the absence of French terms when the selected language is French, to name a few. To enable Java script, please make the following adjustments to your version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat:
Under the "Edit" menu, select "Preferences" and then select "Java Script" from the "Categories" list. Check "Enable Acrobat Javascript" and click on the "OK" button to save.
If you have concerns with making these changes to your security settings, consult with your IT security advisor first.
The ePLA form is continually applying business rules to ensure that the information being captured is as accurate as possible. It is always a good idea to save your work from time to time (suggestion: as you leave a page of the form or every thirty minutes - whichever comes first). You can always open the saved form at a later time and resume your work.
Save two versions of your form The NHPD recommends applicants save a copy of their ePLA prior to finalizing the form. This allows applicants to use the form as a template if they have similar products they wish to use, or if they need to make modifications to a refused file. The "Modify" button in the ePLA should never be used to prepare a new application as this will result in a duplicate tracking number which can severely slow the processing of an application.
Establish a checkpoint before beginning a significant task
By saving the ePLA form, closing it and then opening it again and saving ensuing work under another file name, you are establishing a copy of the form that can be reused should you wish to no longer continue with information entered later (example: you decide to use a different monograph). Recommended opportunities to establish these checkpoints are:
After successfully completing Part 1;
Before starting Part 4;
After selecting a monograph in Part 4
Check for all potential errors before proceeding
After the information for a part has been entered, select the "Continue" button to validate the content. Where information is missing (e.g. a required field has not been filled), an error box will appear stating "Some required fields have not been filled" and each box where the error occurred will have a colored background. By scrolling through the part just completed, you can identify these text boxes that are in error. Be sure to review the entire part and correct each instance before selecting the "Continue" button again.
NOTE: For all NHPD forms, required information fields are indicated by an * after the field label.
Become familiar beforehand with monographs you may wish to invoke
Before selecting a monograph in the ePLA, be sure to review its attributes online beforehand to understand any limitations on dosage forms, conditions of use, and especially dosage ranges. Please note that all monographs are found in the NHPID and that each ingredient that has a monograph is linked to the monograph in the NHPID's ingredient entry. You may find that another monograph more closely meets your needs or that no monograph supports the specifics of your product. The ePLA is not intended as a platform for experimentation of values and capabilities to fit within the parameters of a given monograph.
Change a monograph or ingredient wisely
Once an ingredient or monograph is chosen, the ePLA configures itself particularly for that ingredient or monograph. If you change your mind about the choice of ingredient, simply "Remove" that ingredient and "Add" another in its place. If you wish another choice of monograph, close the ePLA and open the checkpoint version of the form you saved before beginning Part 4 and select the desired monograph. This will ensure that the ePLA reconfigures itself accurately for the new monograph.
Customize label text as appropriate to your needs
The Label Text Editor (LTE) in Part 5 is a handy and reliable way to generate required regulatory label content directly from the information provided in the ePLA. If the customization features of the LTE are insufficient to produce the label information you need, then simply provide your own label separately or use the copy feature provided for the generated label prior to finalization.
NOTE: This recommendation may be especially relevant for Homeopathic application types.
3.0 Natural health electronic Product Licence Application form
After becoming familiar with the application types for natural health products (see the Product Licensing guidance document), select either a Cfgm ePLA or a regular ePLA. A Cfgm ePLA must be used only if you attest to a generated single ingredient monograph. Under all other circumstances, the chosen form must be the regular ePLA. To determine whether your monograph of interest is generated, please look at the List of Single Ingredient Monographs from the NHPID. All generated monographs will be indicated with an "*".
The ePLA Form is divided into five parts which are completed progressively. When Part 1 is completed, Part 2 is displayed and so on (see Figure 1 below.) A Part is completed successfully when the "Continue" button is selected and no errors are found. The Continue button then transforms into a "Modify Form" button, and the completed Part is locked to prevent further changes and the next Part is displayed.
To unlock a completed Part to make changes, select the "Modify Form" button. It will transform back into a "Continue" button and make previous Parts eligible for update.
NOTE: Certain changes - such as returning to change the Type of Application in Part 2 after having begun to complete Part 4 - can have a major impact on any information already captured in Part 4. Whenever possible, you should avoid changing application type in the form.
The ePLA Form may be saved at any time on the workstation and resumed at a later time.
Depending on the information captured in Part 4, additional forms may be appended automatically to the ePLA. If indicated that animal tissues were used in the processing of the product, or if an ingredient contains animal tissues, the Animal Tissue Form will automatically be added to the ePLA and will require completion.
TIP: The ingredients found in your product, both medicinal and non-medicinal, must be indicated as such in the Natural Health Products Ingredient Database prior to completing the ePLa.
Figure 1: Progressive assembly of an ePLA
For more information on completing Part 1 - Applicant and Contact Information, refer to Section 3.2.
For more information on completing Part 2 - Application Type, refer to Section 3.3.
For more information on completing Part 3 - Site Information, refer to Section 3.4.
For more information on completing Part 4 - Product Information, refer to Section 3.5.
For more information on completing Part 4 - Product Information for non-compendial applications, refer to Section 3.5.2.
For more information on completing Part 4 - Product Information for compendial applications, refer to Section 3.5.3.
For more information on completing Part 4 - Product Information for homeopathic applications, refer to Section 3.5.4.
For more information on completing Part 5 - Label Text, refer to Section 3.6.
For more information on completing the Animal Tissue Form, refer to Section 3.7.
For more information on finalizing the product licence application, refer to Section 3.8.
For more information on using the ePLA form after its submission, refer to Section 4.
Applicant or licensee (Block 'A')
Figure 2: Applicant or licensee information
Block A is to capture information about the company in whose name the Natural Health Product application is submitted and the product licence is to be registered (the applicant will be referred to as the licensee once a licence has been granted).
The Name, Street, City and Country are required in all cases. If the Country is "Canada" or "United States", the Province-State and the Postal/ZIP Code are required as well.
Postal/ZIP codes must be displayed in the appropriate format (X#X #X# or #####), where X represents a letter and # a number. Please make sure there are no trailing spaces in the Postal/ZIP Code or it will not pass validation.
Senior official (Block 'B')
Figure 3: Senior official information
A senior official must always be designated for the applicant company. The principal contact person for the licensee/applicant, at the address given, is the person to whom regulatory mail is sent. This is not the contact person for submission-specific questions, but the person who has the authority to represent the company.
Contact for this application (Block 'C')
Figure 4: Contact for this application information
The contact for this application is the person to whom the NHPD will direct submission-specific questions. This may be an employee of the licensee/applicant, or an individual contracted from another company on behalf of the licensee/applicant (3rd party consultant). There may be more than one contact indicated per application. Additional contacts may be added by selecting the "Add a Contact" button.
Representative in Canada (Block 'D')
Figure 5: Representative in Canada information
The Representative in Canada block will be shown and is mandatory only if the Country indicated in the licensee/applicant's address (Block A) is not "Canada".
After the information has been entered, select the "Continue" button to validate the content of Part 1.
TIP: At this point, you may find it useful to save a version of the ePLA with a completed Part 1, which you can then reuse whenever you need to start a new application.
Product Licence Application (Block 'A')
The content of the Type of Application field will depend on the chosen ePLA. In the Cfgm ePLA, this field will only contain 'Compendial from generated monographs'. In the regular ePLA, the available types of application are as listed below and shown in Figure 6:
NHPD Labelling Standard - Homeopathic Medicine Labelling Standard (HMLS)
Homeopathic Medicine with Specific Claim
Homeopathic medicine with Non-Specific Claim
TPD Category IV/Labelling Standard
Figure 6: Example of type of application Submission content (Block 'E')
Indicate the supporting documents included with this submission. This section is for information only and is intended to ensure that the NHPD receives all of the intended documents, including label text, Evidence Summary Report, Safety Summary Report, etc. as indicated in the Product Licensing guidance document.
Reference submission (Block 'F')
Depending on the type of application (i.e. any type except Compendial or Compendial from Generated Monograph), the Reference Submission block header is shown. To see the full block, click on the "Add a Reference" button. Where related submissions are referenced in the subject submission, provide the company code of the applicant/licensee of the reference submission, the file number, the submission number, and the NPN/DIN-HM number (if available). Indicate the summary report(s) being referenced by checking the appropriate box for safety, efficacy, and quality. A letter of access must be enclosed with the submission, as applicable.
Figure 7: Reference submission information
Should an applicant wish to reference more than one submission, selecting the "Add a Reference" button displays another Block F. Any of these blocks can be removed by clicking on the "remove" button.
NHPD master file (Block 'G')
The NHPD Master File block header is always shown. To see the full block, click on the "Add a Master File" button. Where related submission information is contained in a Master File, please indicate the Master File number, the information being supported (such as safety, efficacy, quality, or complete submission), and whether a letter of access is enclosed.
Figure 8: Master file information
Should an applicant wish to reference more than one NHPD Master File, selecting the "Add a Master File" button displays another Block G. Any of these blocks can be removed by clicking on the "remove" button.
For more information on Natural Health Products Directorate Master Files, please refer to the Master File Procedures Guide.
For more information on application requirements and information required to complete Part 2, please refer to the Product Licensing guidance document.
After the information has been entered, select the "Continue" button to validate the content of Part 2.
If this information is known/available at the time of applying for a product licence, the applicant should indicate all of the sites used in the manufacturing, distribution, labelling, packaging, and if applicable the importation of the NHP. The applicant should provide the name and address of each company.
Figure 9: Site information
For each company name and address provided, the associated activity/activities must also be indicated (such as manufacturer, packager, labeller, distributor, and/or importer.) If available, the site licence number assigned by the NHPD can also be provided.
Additional Sites blocks can be added by selecting the "Add a Site" button. Any of these blocks can be removed by clicking on the "remove" button.
After the information has been entered, select the "Continue" button to validate the content of Part 3.
For more information on completing Part 3 of an ePLA Form, please refer to the Product Licensing guidance document.
Part 4 of the ePLA captures the product information required by the NHPD for its assessment. Part 4 of the ePLA is notably different from the original paper version of the PLA form. Some of the data fields have been reordered to account for dependencies on other fields. For example: since the Dosage Form is dependent on Route of Administration, the Route of Administration must be entered first. Additional fields have been added to align with the Natural Health Products Online System terminologies and standards (see Natural Health Products Online System Standard Terminology User Manual.)
Tip: Before beginning to capture information in Part 4, always make a point of saving the ePLA form with a unique name, closing it and then opening it again. This establishes a reference copy of the form that can be reused should you wish to no longer continue with information entered later (example: you decide to use a different monograph or to change the method of preparation).
The ePLA dynamically connects with the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID) to obtain information related to standard terminologies for natural health products such as medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients, dosage forms, routes of administration, and units. The Natural Health Products Ingredients Database information on monographs is also accessed when applicable.
The selection of the type of application made in Part 2 determines the layout and behaviour of the ePLA in Part 4. Table 1 below shows the relative differences for each type of application.
Type(s) of application
NHPID information
Compendial from Generated Monograph
Single Ingredient Monographs marked with an asterisk (*)
Monograph Name
Compendial (NHPD Monograph)
Single Ingredient and Product Monographs
Medicinal Ingredient Name
Free text (consistent with the chosen monograph)
TPD Category IV / Labelling Standard
TPD cateogry IV Monographs and labelling standards
Homeopathic Ingredient Name
Pre-determined list of four general claims
TIP: Adding information to the NHPID
For updates to or additions of medicinal ingredients, non-medicinal ingredients or controlled vocabulary (such as dosage form, units of measurement or NMI purposes), a separate form, the Natural Health Product Ingredients Database Issue Form must be used. Please consult the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database Issue Form User Manual for details on its use. For controlled vocabulary listings, please consult the NHPID's controlled vocabulary search. Completed Issue forms are to be sent to ingredient_support@hc-sc.gc.ca for review and inclusion in the NHPID.
These application types, which are all found in the Regular ePLA, are:
Compendial*
Non-traditional;
Traditional; and
TPD Category IV/Labelling Standard.
*Those applications that do not fall under the Compendial from Generated Monograph. For more information on this application type refer to Section 3.5.3.
In the Heading of Part 4, as shown in Figure 10 below, general information about the product is required, including the primary brand name, other brand name(s), route of administration, dosage form, and sterility condition.
Figure 10: Heading for product information
Primary brand name: Free text. Can be entered either here or on the first page above Part 1 and will be updated in both locations.
Other brand name: Free text. To add more brand names, click on the "Add Brand Name" button and fill in the additional name. To remove an Other Brand Name, click on the "remove" button.
TIP: Enter one brand name per line
Sterile: When the application type is Compendial, the sterility condition is set to 'No' and the Sterile field is locked. For the other application types in this section, when the route of administration is chosen as 'Ophthalmic', the sterility condition is set to 'Yes' and the Sterile field is locked. For all other situations, the sterility condition is a choice of 'Yes' or 'No'.
Route of administration and dosage form: The route of administration is a pick list populated from the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database Routes of Administration Standard Terminology. An acceptable list of dosage forms is then provided based on the route of administration selected. Both the list of routes of administration and dosage forms are derived from the ICH M5 data elements and standards. Please refer to the Natural Health Products Online System Standard Terminology Guide for further explanation.
TIP: Acceptable synonyms for dosage forms can be found in the NHPID; synonyms can be used on the marketed label.
Step 2: Block 'A' - Medicinal ingredients
Block 'A' captures information on the medicinal ingredient(s) associated with the product.
In the ePLA Form, ingredient profiles (sub-blocks) are added one-by-one, using the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database terminologies and standards. Please refer to Natural Health Product Online System Standard Terminology Guide for further information regarding the naming terminology. Ingredients are entered into the ePLA by searching the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database in the form.
To fill in the information for a medicinal ingredient, begin by selecting the "Search Ingredient Database" button to launch the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database search tool.
TIP: Before beginning to capture information in Part 4, research the ingredients of your product first in the NHPID to:
Ensure the ingredient already exists in the NHPID
Know which ingredient to select when filling out the ePLA as some ingredients may appear to be the same but have differences in constituents, extract information, methods of preparation, etc�
After selecting an ingredient, some fields will be automatically pre-populated based on information found in the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database. If the required ingredient information cannot be found in the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database, the applicant can request that the information be added formally through the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database Issue process (see Natural Health Products Ingredients Database Issue Form User Manual.)
Removing ingredients: Ingredients can be removed from the application by selecting the "remove" button as below.
Figure 11: Remove an existing medicinal ingredient
Adding ingredients: The ePLA shows one empty medicinal ingredient sub-block to start because at least one medicinal ingredient is required to successfully finalize the form. More ingredients can be added to the application by selecting the "Add an Ingredient" button. This will create a new empty ingredient sub-block.
Figure 12: New (empty) ingredient
Searching the ingredients database
The ingredient search tool is designed to search and retrieve data from the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database. It can be used for searching both medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients. The following fields are searched:
NHPID name;
Proper names;
Taxonomical synonyms (Taxa); and
Chemical Abstracts Service(CAS) numbers
Selecting the "Search Ingredient Database" button invokes the search tool. To search for an ingredient, enter a keyword and click Search. When an ingredient has an associated monograph or abbreviated labelling standard, this is indicated in the search result as pre-cleared information. (see Figure 13 for an example of a successful ingredient search result).
Figure 13: Example of a successful ingredient search result
Selecting a Filter: The search engine has a default of all ingredient types; however, if you know the type of the ingredient, you may check the type accordingly. For detailed definitions of the ingredient types, please refer to the Natural Health Products Online System Standard Terminology User Manual. Check "Any" to search all types.
Inputting a Keyword: Input simple keywords only. Operators such as "and" and "or" are not applied and may cause the search to be unsuccessful. All information that is entered will be treated as a 'single word'.
Using wildcards: Wildcards are acceptable. Use quotation marks "" to search for an exact match (spelling must also be exact). Use '*' or '%' for zero or more continuous characters and '_' for a single character. Example: if you launch a search with 'green*flavour ' or 'green%flavour ', the results will include 'Green Tea Flavour '. For more details, please review the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database Web Application Guide.
Conducting a Search: Select the Search button to start searching. Searching can also be triggered by depressing the <Enter> key.
Search results are presented in alphabetical order of NHPID name.
Getting detailed information of an entry: Selecting the hyperlink "More Details" on the right shows the detailed information of the ingredient found in the NHPID through the Web browser.
Selecting an entry : Selecting the hyperlinked ingredient name on the left fills the related fields in the ePLA.
When a search fails: The failure of a search does not always mean the specified ingredient is missing from the database. The following situation may contribute to a failed search:
Improperly using wildcards; and / or
Using a spelling variant that is different from the spelling used in the database.
This may happen in cases that there are different spellings of a term among American, Canadian, and British English, and in cases where there is more than one spelling for a Latin binominal name.
The conclusion of "no ingredients found" can only be reached after performing a sufficient and proper search. An example of a search result is shown above in Figure 13: Example of a Successful Ingredient Search Result . If you are experiencing difficulty finding ingredients through the search function of the ePLA, it is best to fully explore the ingredient using the NHPID.
When a search fails under the 'Compendial' application type, it could mean that the ingredient has a generated monograph available and should be completed using the 'Compendial from Generated Monograph' application type found in the Cfgm ePLA.
TIP: Please note that if any name or term cannot be found from the search tool or from pick lists, the user will need to fill out an NHPID Issue form and send it to the NHPD (see Natural Health Products Ingredients Database Issue Form Guide) to request that the missing information be added to the database.
Presentation of medicinal ingredients
Depending on the type of ingredient selected, the layout and required fields of Block 'A' will vary. In general, the following components are in Block 'A':
Figure 14: Ingredient names
However, since the data for different ingredient types varies, the completed fields of Block 'A' capture different information to reflect the requirements of each specific ingredient.
Proper name: Ingredient's proper name. Select one from the pick list. All proper names are pre-populated from the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database and are based on the Natural Health Products Regulations.
Common name: Common name of the ingredient. Select one from the pick list. All common names in the pick list are pre-populated from the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database and are derived from authorized references.
There are 8 fields in this part as shown in figure below.
Figure 15: Basic information of the ingredient
Standard or grade: If the ingredient conforms to a particular standard or grade (such as United States Pharmacopoeia, British Pharmacopoeia, etc.), it can be stated here. The pick list of pharmacopoeia presents pharmacopoeial grades acceptable to the NHPD. The Standard or Grade is not a required field.
Ingredient type: One of 4 ingredient types - chemical substance, protein substance, organism, and defined organism substance - is pre-populated based on the ingredient selected.
Quantity per dosage unit: Amount of the ingredient used in the product formulation per dosage unit. This must be a number only.
Unit of measure: Unit for the quantity. This pick list is populated based on the Natural Health Products Online System Standard Terminology User Manual. The most popular units - Grams, Micrograms, Milligrams, Millilitres and Percent - are shown first followed by the other units in alphabetical order.
Animal tissue: This field is pre-populated based on simple rules but its content should always be checked. If the ingredient is derived from an animal tissue, check "Yes" and fill out the Animal Tissue Form that will be appended to the end of this form (see Animal Tissue Form - section 3.7); otherwise check "No".
Synthetic: Check "Yes or no" as appropriate for the ingredient.
Additional quantity: Amount of the ingredient using other units. This must be a number only.
Additional unit: Unit for the additional quantity. This pick list contains a subset of valid additional units.
Source ingredients: From the pick list select the ingredient source from which the ingredient was isolated. (See Figure 14). To capture more than one source, click the "Add a Source Ingredient" button. For ingredients having both Source Ingredients and Source Materials, there must be a selection from at least one of the two fields. Therefore it is acceptable to select only a Source Material even though it is the Source Ingredient field that is marked as mandatory.
Figure 16: Source ingredient
Source material: Select the Source Material from the pick list provided, if applicable. If there are many source materials included in the formulation, click the "Add a Source Material" button. When an ingredient is derived from an organism group, the Source Material drop-down will include not only the group, but also the group components. For example, for ingredient 'Oyster Shell', the source material will consist of not only the 'Oyster' group and the relevant 'Shell' part, but also the individual genus/species associated with this group along with the relevant part. For ingredients having both Source Ingredients and Source Materials, there must be a selection from at least one of the two fields. Therefore it is acceptable to select only a Source Material even though it is the Source Ingredient field that is marked as mandatory.
Figure 17: Source material
For probiotics and bacteria, an extra field entitled 'Strain' is provided to enter the bacterial strain number. This field is mandatory for probiotics and non-mandatory for bacteria.
Figure 18: Source material and strain
Method(s) of preparation: The preparation method used for the ingredient is required only for organism and organism substance types. A long pick list of methods of preparation is populated for ingredients of Organism type and a short list for ingredients of Defined Organism Substance type. Detailed information on the NHPD methods of preparations can be found in the Natural Health Products Online System Standard Terminology User Manual.
Figure 19: Methods of preparation
Potency: The concentration of the active or marker constituents of an ingredient is required only for ingredients of Defined Organism Substance type when the method of preparation is standardized (see the Natural Health Products Online System Standard Terminology User Manual.) Three fields are required for potency: constituent (name), quantity, and unit. The NHPD has been capturing acceptable constituent data for natural substances. If constituent data is available for a particular organism part, a pick list of constituents will be pre-populated. In the case where the constituent cannot be found in the list or no populated list is available, then the applicant can request that the information be added formally through the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database Issue process (see the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database Issue Form User Manual - see Adding Information to NHPID above).
To capture more constituents, click on the "Add a Constituent" button.
Figure 20: Potency
Extracts and solvents: The detailed information about processing organism ingredients is required only for organism-type ingredients. The required fields are determined according to the method of preparation selected. More detailed information can be found in Section 4.1 - Approved Organism Substance Preparation Name of the Natural Health Products Online System Standard Terminology User Manual.
Figure 21: Extracts and solvents
Ratio: Ratio of the quantity (usually weight) of raw material used to the quantity (weight or volume) of final preparation. The ePLA will automatically calculate the ratio, which is not editable, when the Quantity per Dosage Unit and the Quantity Crude Equivalent are both provided. More detailed information can be found in the Natural Health Products Online System Standard Terminology User Manual.
Quantity crude equivalent and unit: The quantity of crude material equivalent to final preparation and the unit for the quantity.
Original material used: It must be indicated whether the original material used is dry or fresh.
Solvent: Solvent used for the preparation must be chosen from the pick list provided. To capture more solvents, click on the "Add a Solvent" button.
TIP: If the solvent appears in the finished product, it must also be indicated in the Non-medicinal ingredient section of the ePLA.
Solvent strength: Numeric value (%) is required. More detailed information can be found in the Natural Health Products Online System Standard Terminology User Manual.
Subingredient: When an ingredient is defined with subingredients in the NHPID, the Subingredient component is displayed. To capture more subingredients, click on the "Add a Sub-ingredient" button.
Constituent: Choose the constituent name from the pick list provided.
Amount: A numeric value is required.
Unit: The pick list will include the Unit of Measure chosen for the ingredient plus "Percent"
Figure 22: Subingredient
Step 3: Block 'B' - Non-medicinal ingredients
Like medicinal ingredients, non medicinal ingredients are selected by searching the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database.
When selecting ingredients, some fields will be automatically pre-populated based on the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database ingredient naming standard.
Figure 23: Non-medicinal ingredient information
Standard or grade: Pharmacopoeia or other grade or standard with which the ingredient will comply. The pick list of standards and grades represents pharmacopoeial grades acceptable to the NHPD. This field is not required and only needs to be completed as required or if applicable to the ingredient.
Common name: Select the name for the ingredient from the pick list of common names for the chosen non-medicinal ingredient.
Purpose: Select a purpose from the pick list of valid non-medicinal ingredient purposes for this ingredient found in the NHPID. If "Flavour enhancer" is a valid purpose in the NHPID, the drop-down will contain both "Flavour enhancer - Artificial" and "Flavour enhancer - Natural". Please see the NHPID for the controlled list of acceptable non-medicinal ingredient purposes. If the required purpose is not found, complete an Ingredient Issue Form to add the desired purpose to the ingredient (see Adding Information to the NHPID above).
Quantity per dosage unit: If applicable, enter the amount of the ingredient used in the product formulation. This must be a number only and is an optional field.
Unit of measure: Unit for the quantity. This pick list is populated based on the Natural Health Products Online System Standard Terminology User Manual.
Animal tissue: This field is pre-populated based on simple rules but its content should always be checked. If source material is non-human animal, check "Yes" and fill out the Animal Tissue Form at the end of this form; otherwise check "No".
Source information: If applicable, describe the origin of the non-medicinal ingredient. This field is optional.
Step 4: Block 'C' - Ingredient(s) used in processing
As shown below this question relates to whether or not animal tissue was used directly or indirectly in the processing of the product but not present in the finished product. If yes, check "Yes" and fill out the Animal Tissue Form at the end of this form; otherwise check "No".
Figure 24: Ingredient(s) used in processing
Step 5: Block 'D' - Recommended conditions of use
The Recommended Conditions of Use block captures the following information:
Recommended use or purpose;
Recommended dosage, including directions of use for each sub-population group;
Duration statement(s); and
Recommended use(s) or purpose: Provide at least one statement in free form text. At least one use or purpose statement must be indicated. If using more than one use/purpose, please indicate these individually, i.e. on separate lines. To add another statement, click on the "Add a Statement" button.
Figure 25: Recommended use(s) or purpose
TIP: In certain instances, you may find that the text of your Recommended Use(s) or Purpose exceeds the limit (shown by a plus sign - + - at the end) Should that happen, it is suggested that you add another statement line in order to continue with the text. This ensures that all text will be clear and visible should you intend to print the ePLA at a later time.
Recommended Dose is required for all products. One set of information is captured for each sub-population group.
Figure 26: Recommended dose
Sub-population group: Enter specific sub-population group - including age range - if applicable. If more than one sub-population group is required, click on the "Add a New Sub-Population & Recommended Dose" button to generate a new recommended dose block.
Dosage: Required for oral products and other discrete dosage forms. Min and Max values must be numeric. Dosage Units is chosen from a pick list based on dosage form chosen.
Frequency: Min and Max values must be numeric. Frequency Units default to "day".
TIP: If dose is 1 capsule 1x/day, enter '1' in the min and max fields for dosage and frequency.
Additional dosage information: Optional free text.
Directions of use: Optional free text.
Duration statement:
Optional free text. If additional statements are desired, click on the "Add a Statement" button.
Figure 27: Duration Statement
Risk information consists of:
Cautions and warnings;
Known adverse reactions.
All are optional free text. If additional statements are desired, click on the "Add a Statement" button.
Figure 28: Risk information
Step 6: Block 'E' - Nanomaterial ingredients
A "yes" or "no" response is required to the nanomaterial ingredients question as shown below in Figure 29. If the answer is "yes", the list of nanomaterial ingredients is required. Please note that nanomaterials are not permitted in the Compendial application stream.
Figure 29: Nanomaterial ingredients information
Step 7: Validate part 4
After the information has been entered, select "Continue" to validate the content of Part 4.
For more information on meeting requirements in an ePLA, refer to the Product Licensing guidance document.
This application type is found in the Cfgm ePLA, where it is the only type of application. An application of type Compendial from generated monographs (Cfgm) refers to an application which attests to a single ingredient NHPD monograph that is generated in the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database. A majority of the single ingredient NHPD monographs are generated, and those single ingredient monographs applicable to the Cfgm application type (which can be seen in the listings of monographs) are indicated by an "*" in the NHPID List of Monographs.
These are called "generated monographs" because they can be established from existing information in the NHPID and are used to dynamically validate the ePLA. For the generated monographs, a significant amount of information is populated in the ePLA and successful validation ensures that the conditions set out in the monograph have been met.
Step 1: Heading In the Heading of Part 4 as in figure 30 : Compendial heading , general information about the product is required, including the primary brand name, other brand name(s), the monograph to which it attests, route of administration, dosage form, and sterility condition.
Figure 30: Cfgm heading
Step 2: Searching monograph database
Search monograph database: This feature allows you to search for monographs generated from the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database and for which information is available to populate the remainder of Part 4. The Monograph Name, Monograph Date, and Route of Administration fields in the heading portion will subsequently be filled. Searches can be conducted with the available set of single-ingredient NHPD monographs that are marked with an '*' in the NHPID.
Important note: Only those monographs that are generated will be found through searching the monograph database. If you do not find the appropriate monograph, double check the list of monographs in the NHPID. If the monograph does not have an '*', the regular ePLA must be used and the 'Compendial' application type must be selected.
TIP: If you wish another choice of monograph, it is highly recommended you open the checkpoint version of the form you saved before beginning Part 4 and select the desired monograph.
Selecting the "Search Monograph Database" button opens the monograph database search tool. To search for a monograph, enter a keyword and click Search. Selecting the "More Details" button will retrieve the monograph display generated by the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database. Selecting the monograph name (hyperlinked to ingredient name text on the left) will retrieve monograph data from the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database and populate the corresponding fields in the Cfgm ePLA.
Figure 31: Monograph search tool
Sterile: For compendial applications, the sterility condition is already pre-selected as 'no'.
Route of administration and dosage form: The route of administration is pre-filled based on the selected monograph. An acceptable list of dosage forms is then provided based on the route of administration.
Step 3: Block 'A' - Medicinal ingredients
Block 'A' captures information on the medicinal ingredient associated with the product. Part of this information will be captured by the form based on the selected monograph and will not be modifiable (for example, the Ingredient Type), while part of this information will have to be either selected from a pick list (for example, Proper and Common Name), or entered directly in a field (for example, Quantity.) Some of the selections made in Block 'A' will determine which data is made available in pick lists in Block 'D'.
Figure 32: Example of medicinal ingredient after monograph data retrieval
The following step-by-step approach is recommended when filling in the Cfgm ePLA for a compendial from generated monograph application:
The Quantity (field 77a) must be entered per dosage unit. There are a limited number of discrete dosage units, selected later in Block 'D' when providing the recommended dose. Therefore the quantity must be provided as per one of these discrete dosage units, such as per capsule, per teaspoon, per ml, per drop, etc.
The Unit of Measure (field 77b) will be pre-populated with the units of the dose(s) given in the monograph. For Defined Organism Substances, millilitres will be another option in the Unit of Measure field if a liquid extract is applicable. The selection in the Unit field should reflect the earlier selected Dosage Form and the intended Method of Preparation, to be selected later on the form.
An example of the interaction between choices in Block 'A' and Block 'D' is shown below in Figure 34: Valid Combination of Dosage Form, Units and Method of Preparation with Figure 35: Dosage Unit Selection Resulting from Dosage Form Selection.
The Additional Quantity and Additional Unit fields are a way of expressing the quantity from fields 77a/77b in other units. For example, Vitamin D quantity can be captured in mg in fields 77a/77b and in IU in the Additional Quantity fields.
Select the Source Material(s) from the pick list provided. If there are many source materials included in the formulation, click the "Add a Source Material" button as needed.
The Method(s) of Preparation field is meant to capture the processing of the ingredient and will determine if additional information, such as extract ratio and QCE, will be required.
Ratio: Ratio of the quantity (usually weight) of raw material used to the quantity (weight or volume) of final preparation. The ePLA will automatically calculate the ratio when the quantity crude equivalent is entered.
TIP: If a ratio contains a number smaller than 1, an error message will be generated upon validation. If such an error message occurs, the method of preparation may not have been appropriately selected. More detailed information can be found in the Natural Health Products Online System Standard Terminology User Manual.
Step 4 - Block 'B' - Non-medicinal ingredients
After entering the relevant information in Block 'A', the non-medicinal ingredients of Block 'B' can be added. The procedure is identical to the one described for non-compendial applications in section 3.5.2.
Step 5 - Block 'C' - Ingredient(s) used in processing
The information in Block 'C' on ingredients used in processing can be entered in the same manner as described for non-compendial applications in section 3.5.2.
Step 6 - Block 'D' - Recommended conditions of use
Block 'D' captures mandatory information on Recommended Use and Purpose, Recommended Dose, Duration of Use, and Risk Information. All mandatory information as per the generated monograph will be populated in the Cfgm ePLA from the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database , in some cases allowing the user to make one or more selections. See Figure 33: Block 'D' for Compendial from generated monograph Application below using the Bilberry - Oral monograph.
Figure 33: Block 'D' for compendial from generated monograph application
Recommended use(s) or purpose(s): Select one or more use or purpose statements from the drop down list provided. To enter another statement, click on the "Add a Statement" button. Note that a chosen use or purpose statement is not removed from the drop down list.
Recommended dose: As mentioned in Step 3, the choice of dosage forms, units and methods of preparation can impact the choices available in Block 'D'. For example, the available choices of Dosage Units are shown below in the pairing of Figure 34: Valid Combination of Dosage Form, Units and Method of Preparation and Figure 35: Dosage Unit Selection Resulting from Dosage Form Selection.
Figure 34: Valid combination of dosage form, units and method of preparation
Figure 35: Dosage unit selection resulting from dosage form selection
Sub-population group: A drop down list will appear with the acceptable sub-population groups as indicated on the monograph. If more than one sub-population group is required, click on the "Add a New Sub-Population & Recommended Dose" button to generate a new recommended dose block and drop-down list.
Directions of use: Required directions of use text as per the monograph will populate in this section.
Additional directions of use: Optional free text.
Risk Information: Required risk information as per the monograph will populate in this section. If additional statements are desired, click on the "Add a Statement" button.
Step 7 - Block 'E' - Nanomaterial ingredients
Nanomaterials are not appropriate for the compendial assessment stream.
Step 8: Validate Part 4
After the information has been entered for all Part 4 blocks, select the "Continue" button to validate the content of Part 4.
The Cfgm ePLA will also validate the dosage information by calculating the dose based on information entered in the ePLA and comparing it to the monograph. If dose validation fails, an error message will pop up similar to the one in Figure 36: Error Message from Dose Validation below.
Figure 36: Error message from dose validation
If an incompatible selection was made during the completion of Part 4 (for example a Method of Preparation inconsistent with the Conditions of Use stated), an error message will pop up with the statement shown in Figure 37: Error Message from Monograph Validation.
Figure 37: Error message from monograph validation
Carefully review the information in Part 4 with the information presented in the monograph to determine the selection issue in question.
Three types of homeopathic applications, all found in the Regular ePLA, can be selected in Part 2 from field 53. They are named: NHPD Labelling Standard - Homeopathic Medicine Labelling Standard (HMLS), Homeopathic Medicine with Specific Claim, and Homeopathic Medicine with Non-Specific Claim. When one of those application types is selected, Part 4 of the form takes on a look that's different from the other application types because homeopathic applications have different medicinal ingredient information requirements.
All homeopathic applications have attestation statements that must be accepted for successful validation. The following figures distinguish the attestation statements for the three types:
Figure 38: Homeopathic Medicine Labelling Standard (HMLS) attestations
Figure 39: Homeopathic specific attestations
Figure 40: Homeopathic non-specific attestations
As with other non-compendial applications, a homeopathic application search is performed on the ingredients. However, in this instance, the search is solely on homeopathic ingredients seen in the following five references: Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS), Encyclopedia of Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (EHP), German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (HAB), European Pharmacopoeia (PhEur), and Pharmacop�e fran�aise (PhF).
Selecting the "Search Ingredient Database" button invokes the search tool.
Using wildcards: Wildcards are acceptable. Use '*' or '%' for zero or more continuous characters and '_' for a single character. Example: if you launch a search with 'digi*urea' or 'digi%urea' in one of the three homeopathic application types, the results will consist of four ingredients based on 'Digitalis purpurea'.
Conducting a search: Select the "Search" button to start searching. Searching can also be triggered by depressing the <Enter> key.
Figure 41: Example of a homeopathic ingredient search result
Results are displayed in alphabetical order of NHPID name.
Selecting an entry: Selecting the hyperlinked ingredient name on the left fills the related fields in the main form.
Spelling errors including the presence or absence of accents;
Using a spelling variant that is different from the spelling used in the database. This may happen in cases that there are different spellings of a term among American, Canadian, and British English, and in cases where there is more than one spelling for a Latin binominal name.
The conclusion of "no ingredients found" can only be reached after performing a sufficient and proper search.
After finding an ingredient, as seen in Figure 42 below, the following fields will be pre-filled from the Ingredients Database: Standard or Grade, Proper Name, Common Name, Synthetic, Animal Tissue Used, Source Information, Method of preparation and whether animal tissue was used in processing the ingredient. All textual information will appear in the original language of the pharmacopoeia, meaning English for all pharmacopoeias, except for ingredients coming from the Pharmacop�e fran�aise where the information is in French only. This is the only situation where ingredient information may not be consistent with the language chosen for the ePLA.
The form allows for substitution of Homeopathic Potency Scale, Source Information and Method of Preparation information pre-filled from the database by replacing the '---Text Entry' selection with freeform text.
Figure 42: Successful ingredient selection for homeopathic application
A brief explanation is provided for fields that are unique to homeopathic applications.
Homeopathic potency: The dilution or potency applied in the product in homeopathic units only. The applicant is free to select from the scale values provided or to enter another value.
Sterilisation of ingredient from animal origin: Must check 'I agree' box to indicate that medicinal ingredients of animal origin such as nosodes, sarcodes and so on have been sterilised as per pharmacopoeial requirements.
Animal tissue in processing ingredient: Must indicate whether animal tissue was used in processing the ingredient, such as using natural lactose for triturations.
During form validation, various rules associated with the three homeopathic application types and related to homeopathic potency will have to be met. This is in addition to ensuring that all mandatory fields have been filled. Label text generation in Part 5 is no different for the homeopathic application types.
The Summary of Product Information displays the contents of Part 4 by showing each ingredient, whether medicinal or non-medicinal, in a single line.
The summary can be viewed after completing an application by selecting the "Summary" button of the Part 4 header, as in Figure 43: Product Information Summary Button below.
Figure 43: Product information summary button
This will generate an onscreen report of one or more pages that can be printed as desired, as shown in Figure 44: Product Information Summary report below.
Figure 44: Product information summary report
To return to Part 4 of the ePLA, select the "Close" button.
Filling in an ePLA with a route of administration other than 'Oral' can sometimes prove challenging. When either 'Buccal' or 'Topical' is chosen as the route of administration, the form validation will behave differently as the dosage and frequency fields of the Recommended Dose section will no longer be mandatory as long as a directions for use is entered. As well, for buccal and topical applications of type Compendial from generated monographs (available from the Cfgm ePLA only), the form validation will ignore the information entered in the frequency and dosage fields and will validate the dose based on the quantity per dosage unit or quantity crude equivalent entered in Part 4-A. However, any information entered in the frequency and dosage fields will populate the generated label, which can be removed from the market label, as appropriate.
An example from a Compendial from generated monographs application using the Cfgm ePLA is given below to illustrate.
A topical Fenugreek cream, with 50 grams of powdered seed, will appear in the ePLA as shown below.
Figure 45: Topical product - Part A
Similarly, if the product is an extract, a method of preparation of 'Extract dry' is selected and the quantity of 50 grams is entered in the Quantity Crude Equivalent field. Based on the extract ratio, the appropriate quantity is input in the quantity per dosage unit fields (field 77a and 77b).
In the Recommended Dose section, the user will have the option to indicate the appropriate dosage units. If the 50 grams of fenugreek were per 'amount' of cream, the Dosage Unit section would have to indicate it as such. Or the user can choose to leave the dosage and frequency sections empty.
Figure 46: Example of a topical product - Part D
If using the Compendial from generated monograph application type, when the user clicks the "Continue" button at the end of Part 4, the form validation will only compare the monograph dose of 50 grams with the information in Part 4 Section A. The rest of the dosage information will be ignored.
As well as supporting the ability to submit label text, Part 5 of the ePLA form provides a Label Text Editor tool to generate regulatory label text directly from the contents of the ePLA.
The Label Text Editor tool provides the opportunity to review and possibly edit the generated label text or, alternatively, indicate that the label text will be provided separately along with the ePLA form. If the generated label text approach is chosen, the text must be successfully validated before the ePLA form can be finalized.
The initial version of the generated label text is assembled from the information entered in the ePLA. The applicant is then able to review this initial version and to provide clarifying and additional information as appropriate. The content is organized by panel as per Section 93 of the Natural Health Products Regulationsand published in the Labelling Guidance Document . At any time, the applicant can select the "View " button to view the finished results. Once the finished results are satisfactory, the applicant validates the label text by selecting the "Validate " button. Any aspects that are inconsistent with the Natural Health Products Regulations and labelling guidance are highlighted for correction. When the label text validates cleanly, the applicant can then proceed to finalize the ePLA.
Select the "Edit Label Text" button to display the Label Text Editor. As per the labelling guidance, there are five sections in the Label Text Editor:
Principal Display Panel;
Any Panel;
Outer Label Text Only;
Security Package; and
Specialized Labelling - Inner and/or Outer.
Each section contains one or more subsections. A section or subsection can be displayed or hidden by selecting in the corresponding "Hide" checkbox.
The field values displayed in the sections/subsections are from Parts 1, 3, and 4 of the ePLA. Mandatory fields are identified with an asterisk (*). Some field values may be replaced for label text purposes by entering a new value in the corresponding "Replace with a statement to the effect of:" field, while other field values can be included on (or removed from) the label text by selecting in the corresponding "Include on Label" checkbox.
Front panel: In the Front Panel section, shown in Figure 47: Front Panel Section below, the Net Amount in container field is a mandatory field that can be modified by the user. By selecting 'Text Entry' in the weight/measure/number drop-down, the users can input their own container units.
Figure 47: Front panel section
Tip: The weight/measure/number section can be entered as free text by applicants to show multiple container amounts for their products.
Any panel: The Any Panel section contains five subsections:
Applicant or Licence Holder
A - Medicinal Ingredient;
D - Recommended Conditions of Use;
Recommended Dose; and
Provided by Applicant.
Certain fields within the Product Licence Holder subsection, as in Figure 48: Product License Holder Subsection below, can be visible for label text purposes.
Figure 48: Product license holder subsection
All fields within the A - Medicinal Ingredient subsection are fixed based on information entered in the ePLA. These fields cannot be revised. See figure 49.
Figure 49: A - Medicinal ingredient subsection
The fields within subsection D - Recommended Conditions of Use are populated from information in the ePLA and may be replaced with a statement to the effect; as in Figure 50: D - Recommended Conditions of Use Subsection, Figure 51: Recommended Dose Subsection, and Figure 52: Risk Information Subsection
Figure 50: D - Recommended conditions of use subsection
Figure 51: Recommended dose subsection
Figure 52: Risk information subsection
Within the Provided by Applicant subsection, as in Figure 53: Provided by Applicant Subsection below, there exist optional additional fields that may be completed: Recommended Storage Conditions (for which the default value is "None"), and the display of the lot number.
Figure 53: Provided by applicant subsection
Outer label text only: The Outer Label Text Only section, such as in Figure 54: Outer Label Text Only Section below contains two subsections: B -Non-Medicinal Ingredient and Mercury Statement. The fields within the B -Non-Medicinal Ingredient subsection cannot be changed using the Label Text Editor; they can only be changed by modifying them in Part 4 of the ePLA form. If the product contains mercury, you must specify "Yes" in the Product Contains Mercury field of the Mercury Statement subsection. A mandatory field entitled Quantity of Mercury Statement will then appear and will need to be filled.
Figure 54: Outer label text only section
Security package: All fields within the Security Package subsection, illustrated in Figure 55: Security Package subsection below, are mandatory fields on the label. If the security feature is not self-evident in the product packaging, then a Security Feature statement must be specified.
Figure 55: Security package subsection
Specialized labelling - inner and/or outer: The content of the Specialize labelling section depends on the application type. In the Cfgm ePLA (for application type Compendial from generated monographs) and for application types Compendial, Traditional, Non-traditional and TPD Category IV in the Regular ePLA, the Specialized Labelling -Inner and/or Outer section contains five optional subsections to be completed as applicable:
Pressurized Container;
Cautionary Statements;
Organic Product Statements;
Irradiated Product Statements; and
Eucalyptus/Camphor Product Statement
For the three homeopathic application types of the Regular ePLA, the Specialized Labelling -Inner and/or Outer section also contains the five optional subsections listed above along with an additional Homeopathic Medicines Labelling subsection.
Other label functions: The label text can be viewed at any time while in the Label Text Editor by selecting the "View Label Text" button. The label text can be printed at any time by selecting the "Print Label" button.
Viewing the label text by selecting the "View Label Text" button makes it easier to identify any required changes. Should the changes be required in other parts of the ePLA (for example Part 4), it is best to group the changes together.
When viewing the label text, the label text can be copied to another software application, such as Microsoft Word or Notepad by performing the following:
Select the "Copy Label" button;
Position the cursor within the Copy Label text;
Press the Control-A keys to select all text;
Press the Control-C keys to copy the text to the Windows clipboard; and
Paste the label text from the Windows clipboard into the software application for additional modifications and/or editing.
Please note that copying the label text elsewhere in this way is a "one-way" operation. Label text modified within another software application cannot be imported back into the Label Text Editor and subsequently cannot be validated within the ePLA Form. This means that if you wish to use the modified label text for the Product Licence Application, you must therefore submit the modified text separately from the ePLA (see Section 3.6.3 - Label Text Submitted Separately below).
Once all of the desired label text changes have been entered along with the mandatory label text information, the text must be validated by selecting the "Validate" button. If some mandatory fields have not been specified, the fields in error will have a coloured background.
Figure 56: Successfullabel text validation result
When the label text is validated successfully, a message will be displayed as shown above Figure 56: Successful Label Text Validation Result. The Label Text Editor can now be closed by selecting the "Close " button. The Label Text Editor can in fact be closed at any time by selecting the "Close" button. The result of a successful label text validation is shown below in Figure 57: Successful Label Text Validation in ePLA.
Figure 57: Successful label text validation in ePLA
Once all issues with Label Text have been resolved, the Label Text has been validated successfully and the Label Text Editor has been closed, click the "Continue" button on the ePLA. This step indicates that Part 5 of the form is complete.
For more information on labelling Natural Health Products, refer to the Labelling Guidance Document.
If you intend to submit the label text separately rather than generate it as part of the ePLA, click the "Label Text Submitted Separately" checkbox within Part 5 - Label Text of the ePLA Form, as illustrated in Figure 58: Label Text Submitted Separately Checkbox.
Figure 58: Label text submitted separately checkbox
An Animal Tissue Form (ATF) is added to the ePLA each time "Yes" is selected in response to any of the four Animal Tissue questions:
Medicinal ingredient field 79
Processing of Ingredient field 91 (for homeopathic ingredients only)
Non-medicinal Ingredient field 96
Ingredient(s) Used in Processing field 101"
The following message in Figure 59: Animal Tissue Form Added Message is shown when the ATF is added:
Figure 59: Animal tissue form added message
For medicinal ingredients and for non-medicinal ingredients, the ATF is pre-filled with the ingredient name and the "Ingredient" value is selected.
For ingredient(s) used in processing, the ingredient name is not populated, but the "in processing of product" value is selected.
Note that the pre-filled values cannot be changed as they represent the information entered in Part 4 of the ePLA. If additional information regarding Animal Tissue must be provided, use the "Add another Animal Tissue Form" button to generate more forms as needed so all information is captured.
For successful finalization of the ePLA, all required fields of each ATF must be completed - including the "I Agree" box at the bottom of each ATF.
Step 1: Attestation
Once all parts of the ePLA have been validated, the Attestation box will appear. Selecting the "I Agree" checkbox signifies that the senior official of the company applying for the licence (defined in Part 1, Block 'B') attests to the provided statements. Upon selection, the block displays an Attestation Code (shown below in Figure 60: Example of an Attestation Block) and the "Finalize" button appears at the end of the form after all the subforms (i.e. after any ATFs).
Figure 60: Example of an attestation block
Step 2 - Finalize
After the Attestation has been endorsed by selecting the "I Agree" checkbox, select the "Finalize" button to do a final validation of all parts of the ePLA.
Once all finalization issues are resolved, the form finalization displays at the top and bottom of the form, see Figure 61: Successful Form Finalization Message below.
Figure 61: Successful form finalization message
The finalized form also is assigned a unique tracking number displayed at the top of each page. This tracking number will remain the same regardless of the number of times the finalized form is modified.
TIP: Prior to finalizing your form, the NHPD recommends that you save a copy of your ePLA to avoid potential issues with the ePLA's tracking number in the future. We recommend the following steps:
The applicant will enter all information pertaining to their product into the ePLA.
The applicant will be asked to finalize their ePLA. At this point they must save the ePLA prior to finalizing using a unique name. (e.g. Garlic123456Unfinalized.pdf)
The applicant will finalize the ePLA and save it again with a different name (e.g. Garlic123456Finalized.pdf)
The applicant will submit the finalized version, but keep both ePLAs on file. Any time the applicant needs to submit a new application to the NHPD, they are free to modify the unfinalized version of their ePLA and follow the same steps listed above. Step 3 - Assemble and submit
After finalization, as indicated in the finalization message, the completed form is ready to be saved on your workstation and then submitted as per the Product Licence guidance document. Should you choose to print the electronic form and send it to NHPD via regular mail, please note that the electronic form will only print properly once certain conditions are met. In order to print properly, the electronic form must be finalized, saved, and closed first. When the form is ready to be printed, the closed finalized form can be reopened and then printed.
The "Modify " button can be used to update an already-submitted application in response to a notice from the NHPD or if modifications are required during the application process. The NHPD uses the tracking number on the form to locate and replace the previous version.
The "Modify" button must only be used when responding to an information request from NHPD or doing any modifications to the same product during the application process. It should not be used to change the content of refused ePLAs or to create new applications from previously finalized applications with similar content. The latter actions will result in duplicate tracking numbers at NHPD which cause serious delays in file processing.
After selecting the "Modify" button in order to respond to an information request as part of the application process and making the desired change(s), Parts 1 through 4 need to be re-validated by selecting the "Continue" button at the end of Part 4. In Part 5, the label text also needs to be re-validated, and the application form needs to be successfully finalized before the updated form can be submitted.
Following issuance of a product licence, if any changes are made, as stated in Sections 11 and 12 of the Natural Health Products Regulations, the ePLA can be used to submit the post-licence amendment or notification.
These notifications and amendments follow the same basic approach as the original application - the original ePLA is modified to reflect the desired changes. This ensures the integrity of the product licence application.
For licensed products which were submitted before the availability of the ePLA 1.4.1, which was released in November 2010, the applicant must capture the original product information along with the desired changes using the current ePLA. Complete and finalize a new form for the original product by following the instructions in this User Guide.
Select the "Post-Licence Change" button from the form finalization message (see Figure 61: Successful Form Finalization Message). This makes a copy of Parts 1 to 4 of the original ePLA and clears the tracking number. A new section appears in Part 2 as shown in Figure 62 - B. Post-Licence Change. This section indicates that this ePLA is for a previously-licensed product and has a location to capture the NPN for that product. The eight digit NPN must be provided. You can then complete the form with the post-licence changes (including Part 5 - Label Text), successfully finalize it (to get a new Tracking Number) and send it in.
Figure 62: B. Post-licence change
A new Product Licence Application form can be generated from a finalized ePLA by selecting the "New Application" button from the form finalization message. This makes a copy of Part 1 only and clears the tracking number. It also provides the option to select the language of the form.