Health Canada says it takes safety 'very seriously' in face of concerns about homeopathic remedy

Ottawa has approved 8,500 homeopathic products, including remedy made from rabid dog saliva

Bethany Lindsay · CBC News · Posted: Apr 18, 2018 4:00 AM PT | Last Updated: April 18

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More than 8,500 homeopathic treatments are approved by Health Canada. (Josh Reynolds/Associated Press)

The long list of so-called homeopathic nosodes approved by Health Canada include remedies made from the bacteria that causes chlamydia, the cerebral fluid of meningitis patients and cancer cells — to name just a few.

After B.C.'s senior physician questioned the federal approval of one of these remedies, a substance developed from the saliva of a rabid dog, Health Canada will only say that it takes the safety of health products "very seriously."

• B.C. health official voices 'grave concerns' after child given homeopathic remedy using rabid-dog saliva

A Health Canada spokesperson said no one was available Tuesday for an interview about the remedy used by a Victoria naturopath to treat a small boy's behaviour problems, but offered a written statement instead.

"Homeopathic products ... are regulated as natural health products (NHPs) under the Natural Health Products Regulations," the statement reads.

"Health Canada takes the safety of health products on the Canadian market very seriously. Should a product not meet the requirements set out in the associated product monograph and guidance, Health Canada will take action." 

The homeopathic remedy, which is marketed as lyssinum, lyssin or hydrophobinum, is one of more than 8,500 homeopathic products regulated by the federal government.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/health-canada-says-it-takes-safety-very-seriously-in-face-of-concerns-about-homeopathic-remedy-1.4623775

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