Health Canada Cosmetic/Drug Classification Policies Revised

Health Canada has revised policies used to classify products that share characteristics of both cosmetics and drugs, (eg. acne treatments, toothpastes.) Existing products may be re-classified at any time after Fall 2007. To view a copy of the Guidance Document click here.

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Health Canada News Latest news provided by Health Canada	U.S. FDA News Latest news from the Food & Drug Administration
Government of Canada Accepts Recommendations on MS Research Wed, 1 Sept 2010 9:30:00 EDT The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today accepted the recommendations on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research recently presented to her by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) President Dr. Alain Beaudet. These recommendations are based on a thorough review of the current state of science conducted at an August 26, 2010, meeting of leading North American MS experts. [ more ] Reminding Parents of School Lunch Allergen Safety Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EDT As children head back to the classroom, Health Canada is reminding parents of the importance of allergy awareness when packing lunches for their children. Severe allergic reactions can occur quickly and without warning, and some foods can be life-threatening to allergic children. [ more ] Parents and Caregivers Warned About the Dangers of Baby Hammocks Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EDT Health Canada is again warning parents and caregivers against using hammocks designed for infants and young children due to the potential suffocation hazard posed by these products. The product's inclined sleeping surface increases the risk of infants rolling and becoming wedged in a position where they can no longer breathe. [ more ] Important Diabetes Information: GlucaGen Hypokit being Recalled in Canada Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EDT Health Canada is informing Canadians that Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. has agreed to voluntarily recall two lots (YW60335 and YW60351) of their product, GlucaGen Hypokit (DIN 02333627) currently available on the Canadian market. [ more ] Unauthorized ExtenZe Sexual Enhancement Supplements May Pose Health Risks Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:10:00 EDT Health Canada has seized the unauthorized sexual enhancement supplements "Male Enhancement ExtenZe" and "Women ExtenZe" (shown below) imported and sold by the Happy Paradise Adult Store in Burnaby, British Columbia. [ more ] Unauthorized Health Product: "SeXXX DRIVE" May Pose Serious Health Risks Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EDT An unauthorized health product, "SeXXX DRIVE", promoted as a herbal supplement to enhance male sexual performance, was tested by Health Canada and found to contain undeclared "hydroxyhomosildenafil", a substance similar to the prescription medication sildenafil that may pose serious and potentially life-threatening health risks, particularly to people with heart problems. [ more ] Health Canada Statement on Radiofrequency Energy and Wi-Fi Equipment Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:20:00 EDT Based on scientific evidence, Health Canada has determined that exposure to low-level radiofrequency energy, such as that from Wi-Fi systems, is not dangerous to the public. [ more ] "Fulda Unitang Herbs Sleep Plus": Unauthorized Herbal Sleep Aid May Pose Health Risks Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EDT "Fulda Unitang Herbs Sleep Plus", an unauthorized product promoted as an herbal sleep aid, has been found to contain high levels of the undeclared drug estazolam and may pose serious health risks to consumers. [ more ] Government of Canada Releases Biomonitoring Data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey Mon, 16 Aug 2010 9:30:00 EDT Today, Health Canada released its Report on Human Biomonitoring of Environmental Chemicals in Canada. This technical report provides the results of the biomonitoring component from the first cycle of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). [ more ]	New and Generic Drug Approvals Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:33:00 -0400 Drug Approval Listing [ more ] Pediatric Exclusivity Statistics Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:13:00 -0400 Updated list. [ more ] Safe Drug Use After a Natural Disaster Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:43:00 -0400 Updated [ more ] Information Regarding Insulin Storage and Switching Between Products in an Emergency Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:34:00 -0400 Updated [ more ] Current Drug Shortages Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:41:00 -0400 New/Updated Drug Shortages: Etoposide solution for injection 9/2/2010, Morphine Injection (2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg, and 10 mg) (updated) 9/2/2010, Mitomycin for injection (updated) 9/2/2010, Mexiletine Capsules (150mg, 200mg, and 250mg) (updated) 9/2/2010, Leucovorin Calcium Lyophilized Powder for Injection (updated) 9/2/2010, Haloperidol Decanoate Injection (updated) 9/2/2010, Furosemide Injection 10mg/ml (updated) 9/2/2010, Epinephrine 0.1 mg/mL Emergency Syringes 10 mL LifeShield Abboject syringe with 1.5 inch, 21-gauge needle (NDC 00409-4921-34) (updated) 9/2/2010, Succinylcholine injection (updated) 9/2/2010, Atracurium injection (updated) 9/1/2010, Calcium Chloride Injection (updated) 9/1/2010, Cisplatin injection 1 mg/mL solution (updated) 9/1/2010, Dextrose 50% injection (updated) 9/1/2010, Fabrazyme (agalsidase beta) (updated) 9/1/2010, Technetium Tc99m Generators (updated)8/31/2010, Succinylcholine injection 8/25/2010, Morphine Injection (2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg, and 10 mg) 8/20/2010, Cisplatin injection 1 mg/mL solution 8/18/2010, Technetium Tc99m Generators (updated) 8/16/2010, Naloxone Injection (updated) 8/16/2010, Vecuronium Injection (updated) 8/10/2010, Mitomycin for injection (updated) 8/10/2010, Haloperidol Decanoate Injection (updated) 8/10/2010, Furosemide Injection 10mg/ml (updated) 8/10/2010, Epinephrine 0.1 mg/mL Emergency Syringes 10 mL LifeShield Abboject syringe with 1.5 inch, 21-gauge needle (NDC 00409-4921-34) (updated) 8/5/2010, Dextrose 50% injection (updated) 8/5/2010, Calcium Chloride Injection (updated) 8/5/2010, Foscarnet sodium 24 mg/mL injection 8/5/2010, Sulfamethoxazole 80mg/trimethoprim 16mg/ml injection (SMX/TMP) (updated) 8/5/2010, Propofol Injection 10mg/ml, 20ml 25s, 50ml 20s, 100ml 10s (updated) 8/4/2010 [ more ] Newly Added Guidance Documents Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:04:00 -0400 [ more ] Drugs@FDA Data Files Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:25:00 -0400 Data files updated through September 1, 2010. [ more ] National Drug Code Directory Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:56:00 -0400 The National Drug Code has been updated with data through September 1, 2010. [ more ] FDA Drug Safety Communication: Increased risk of death with Tygacil (tigecycline) compared to other antibiotics used to treat similar infections Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:00:00 -0400 [09-01-2010] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reminding healthcare professionals of an increased mortality risk associated with the use of the intravenous antibacterial Tygacil (tigecycline) compared to that of other drugs used to treat a variety of serious infections. [ more ]

Health Canada News

U.S. FDA News

Latest news from the Food & Drug Administration

Government of Canada Accepts Recommendations on MS Research
Wed, 1 Sept 2010 9:30:00 EDT
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, today accepted the recommendations on Multiple Sclerosis (MS) research recently presented to her by Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) President Dr. Alain Beaudet. These recommendations are based on a thorough review of the current state of science conducted at an August 26, 2010, meeting of leading North American MS experts. [ more ]

Reminding Parents of School Lunch Allergen Safety
Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EDT
As children head back to the classroom, Health Canada is reminding parents of the importance of allergy awareness when packing lunches for their children. Severe allergic reactions can occur quickly and without warning, and some foods can be life-threatening to allergic children. [ more ]

Parents and Caregivers Warned About the Dangers of Baby Hammocks
Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EDT
Health Canada is again warning parents and caregivers against using hammocks designed for infants and young children due to the potential suffocation hazard posed by these products. The product's inclined sleeping surface increases the risk of infants rolling and becoming wedged in a position where they can no longer breathe. [ more ]

Important Diabetes Information: GlucaGen Hypokit being Recalled in Canada
Wed, 25 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EDT
Health Canada is informing Canadians that Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. has agreed to voluntarily recall two lots (YW60335 and YW60351) of their product, GlucaGen Hypokit (DIN 02333627) currently available on the Canadian market. [ more ]

Unauthorized ExtenZe Sexual Enhancement Supplements May Pose Health Risks
Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:10:00 EDT
Health Canada has seized the unauthorized sexual enhancement supplements "Male Enhancement ExtenZe" and "Women ExtenZe" (shown below) imported and sold by the Happy Paradise Adult Store in Burnaby, British Columbia. [ more ]

Unauthorized Health Product: "SeXXX DRIVE" May Pose Serious Health Risks
Wed, 18 Aug 2010 11:00:00 EDT
An unauthorized health product, "SeXXX DRIVE", promoted as a herbal supplement to enhance male sexual performance, was tested by Health Canada and found to contain undeclared "hydroxyhomosildenafil", a substance similar to the prescription medication sildenafil that may pose serious and potentially life-threatening health risks, particularly to people with heart problems. [ more ]

Health Canada Statement on Radiofrequency Energy and Wi-Fi Equipment
Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:20:00 EDT
Based on scientific evidence, Health Canada has determined that exposure to low-level radiofrequency energy, such as that from Wi-Fi systems, is not dangerous to the public. [ more ]

"Fulda Unitang Herbs Sleep Plus": Unauthorized Herbal Sleep Aid May Pose Health Risks
Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EDT
"Fulda Unitang Herbs Sleep Plus", an unauthorized product promoted as an herbal sleep aid, has been found to contain high levels of the undeclared drug estazolam and may pose serious health risks to consumers. [ more ]

Government of Canada Releases Biomonitoring Data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey
Mon, 16 Aug 2010 9:30:00 EDT
Today, Health Canada released its Report on Human Biomonitoring of Environmental Chemicals in Canada. This technical report provides the results of the biomonitoring component from the first cycle of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). [ more ]

New and Generic Drug Approvals
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:33:00 -0400
Drug Approval Listing [ more ]

Pediatric Exclusivity Statistics
Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:13:00 -0400
Updated list. [ more ]

Safe Drug Use After a Natural Disaster
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:43:00 -0400
Updated [ more ]

Information Regarding Insulin Storage and Switching Between Products in an Emergency
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:34:00 -0400
Updated [ more ]

Current Drug Shortages
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:41:00 -0400
New/Updated Drug Shortages: Etoposide solution for injection 9/2/2010, Morphine Injection (2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg, and 10 mg) (updated) 9/2/2010, Mitomycin for injection (updated) 9/2/2010, Mexiletine Capsules (150mg, 200mg, and 250mg) (updated) 9/2/2010, Leucovorin Calcium Lyophilized Powder for Injection (updated) 9/2/2010, Haloperidol Decanoate Injection (updated) 9/2/2010, Furosemide Injection 10mg/ml (updated) 9/2/2010, Epinephrine 0.1 mg/mL Emergency Syringes 10 mL LifeShield Abboject syringe with 1.5 inch, 21-gauge needle (NDC 00409-4921-34) (updated) 9/2/2010, Succinylcholine injection (updated) 9/2/2010, Atracurium injection (updated) 9/1/2010, Calcium Chloride Injection (updated) 9/1/2010, Cisplatin injection 1 mg/mL solution (updated) 9/1/2010, Dextrose 50% injection (updated) 9/1/2010, Fabrazyme (agalsidase beta) (updated) 9/1/2010, Technetium Tc99m Generators (updated)8/31/2010, Succinylcholine injection 8/25/2010, Morphine Injection (2 mg, 4 mg, 8 mg, and 10 mg) 8/20/2010, Cisplatin injection 1 mg/mL solution 8/18/2010, Technetium Tc99m Generators (updated) 8/16/2010, Naloxone Injection (updated) 8/16/2010, Vecuronium Injection (updated) 8/10/2010, Mitomycin for injection (updated) 8/10/2010, Haloperidol Decanoate Injection (updated) 8/10/2010, Furosemide Injection 10mg/ml (updated) 8/10/2010, Epinephrine 0.1 mg/mL Emergency Syringes 10 mL LifeShield Abboject syringe with 1.5 inch, 21-gauge needle (NDC 00409-4921-34) (updated) 8/5/2010, Dextrose 50% injection (updated) 8/5/2010, Calcium Chloride Injection (updated) 8/5/2010, Foscarnet sodium 24 mg/mL injection 8/5/2010, Sulfamethoxazole 80mg/trimethoprim 16mg/ml injection (SMX/TMP) (updated) 8/5/2010, Propofol Injection 10mg/ml, 20ml 25s, 50ml 20s, 100ml 10s (updated) 8/4/2010 [ more ]

Newly Added Guidance Documents
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:04:00 -0400
[ more ]

Drugs@FDA Data Files
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:25:00 -0400
Data files updated through September 1, 2010. [ more ]

National Drug Code Directory
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:56:00 -0400
The National Drug Code has been updated with data through September 1, 2010. [ more ]

FDA Drug Safety Communication: Increased risk of death with Tygacil (tigecycline) compared to other antibiotics used to treat similar infections
Wed, 01 Sep 2010 10:00:00 -0400
[09-01-2010] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reminding healthcare professionals of an increased mortality risk associated with the use of the intravenous antibacterial Tygacil (tigecycline) compared to that of other drugs used to treat a variety of serious infections. [ more ]