In Canada the unthinkable has already happened. Well it happen in the U.S.?

A very talented Canadian holistic health practitioner called me recently. We began discuss the closing in of the pharaceutical industry lobby throughout the world on the herbal and vitamin/mineral supplement industries, making it much more difficult, if not impossible, for the ordinary citizen and consumer of these products to buy them. He told me how this has hit him even as a health care professional. I share his story with you below.

Hi Viana,

Put a few words together re: what we spoke about.

Take care,

Stephen Foxman

I was one of the pioneers in the natural health industry. When we began in the late 70's we were like children – idealistic, naïve, believing that we could help make a better, healthier world. And some of this has come to fruition. Never before has there been such an abundance of excellent health products and information available to us. Now, though, we are starting to see the greed setting in. We should have seen it coming. Anytime a market trend seems to be developing – and its clear to everyone that the natural, organic, alternative medicine market is growing exponentially- the big guys on top (giant food companies and pharmaceutical companies) not only want a piece of the pie, but they want to control how the pie is eaten. I am a nutritional therapist living in Canada. As it is difficult to have some products sent from the U.S. to Canada, I usually take an hour drive to the nearest U.S. border city to pick up sent supplements from American companies. Re-entering Canada, I have to pay about 15% duty on all goods. That was then.

Now, Health Canada, a government run office has changed the rules. I still have to pay duty but I cannot bring in products unless they are approved and registered. As one can see from their web site, Health Canada comes off as " health protecters of all Canadian citizens"making sure that no toxic herbs or vitamins will enter the country of Canada. In reality, they are mandating that every single health product (vitamins, supplements and herbs, etc.) must be evaluated and once given the okay must have a specific number printed on the bottle. They are charging each Canadian distributor about $1500. a year for this service.

What is the end result? Fewer and fewer products will be imported into Canada as many distributors in this country will be frustrated with the process. Some won't be able to afford the costs.

Enter the big pharmacies, large companies and grocery store chains who will land up buying some of these small health companies. They can afford to pay the costs and go through the process along with a serious marketing budget, ultimately controlling the market.

The only thing we can do is use our grassroots voice to inform ourselves of whats going on and protest, write letters, etc. We do have a strong voice. Let's use it.