Here is my completed survey.
Jason Watkin
CEO/President
Biomedica Labs
1-866-334-2463
www.biomedicalabs.com
Natural health product regulation survey
1. What impacts have the recent health product regulation from government have on your society? It has undermined faith in the democratic process as this is not what the standing committee on health (a multi-million dollar �think tank� paid for by Canadian taxpayers� dollars) recommended as they stated that a separate regulatory body should be set up independent of the TPD.
2. How did you/your society react? With disdain � this is a violation of taxpayers� trust and a diversionary tactic.
3. Do you think that this regulation is fair? Absolutely not! This is a smoke and mirrors game perpetuated on an unknowing public.
4. Has the regulation proved to be beneficial or detrimental to your society? How so? This regulation is no better than its predecessor as it still opens the door wide for corrupt enforcement activities that turn foods into drugs at a whim.
5. What benefits for (business, Government and society) do you think that this will have in the future? It will serve to help governments eliminate standardized foods and individual ingredients more easily by dropping dose limitations on these nutrients � this is inexcusable!
6. With the new regulation in place, do you feel safer when purchasing natural health products due to quality assurance? Where are the statistics that showed that there was a problem with safety in the first place! Show them to me in writing! Please compare this to drugs and deaths due to drugs (Would you not agree that drugs are regulated for quality and safety?)
7. Has the regulation brought more convenience in choosing natural health products? Why/why not? The minimal health claims allowed are a superficial attempt to appease a massive part of society that wants control of their own health and is not interested in being told what they can and cannot do!
8. How has your society attempted to influence business and government (federal, provincial, municipal) about this issue? We have been actively supporting Bill C-420 brought forward by Nanaimo/Parksville MP Dr. James Lunney and the Conservative party (also met with a large level of Liberal support even against the former Liberal Prime Minister�s wishes). This Bill would effectively place foods in a foods category enabling consumers to better help themselves without government interference; however, still successfully addressing the quality control area.
9. Higher prices will result from the new regulation; do you think this is fair? This only serves to support Pharma and big business. Foods should be widely available to all segments of society regardless of their economic situations. This IS as Nature intended!
10. Will consumers be willing to purchase natural health products at higher prices? Only the ones that can afford it and this is prejudicial!
11. Who do you think will benefit the most from the new regulation? Big business.
12. Do you think this regulation should even be implemented in the first place? Why/why not? No. Bill C-420 is a much better choice as it eliminates drug industry influence through the TPD and places the onus of quality assurance on an independent Natural Health Products directorate that is exclusive from the TPD in its operations. Please refer to Dr. Michelle Brille Edwards comments as to the gross misconduct displayed by many TPD regulatory officials � their actions were in biased support of Big Pharma at the expense of the Natural Health Products industry.
13. Is there anything about this issue you would like to add that hasn't been touched on? We will continue to promote Bill C-420 as the best choice for Canadians.
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