The Shifting Landscape of Natural Health Product Licensing in Canada: The e-Commerce Case of Stem Cell Supplements

Abstract Natural health product (NHP) regulations have shifted in Canada, with the aim of reducing “red tape” and enabling market entry. This study assessed how many “stem cell” supplements for sale on Amazon.ca had Health Canada–required natural product number (NPN) licenses compared with vitamin D and “longevity” supplements. It also conducted a marketing overview analysis comparing the Amazon.ca discourse across the 3 product types. Findings show a gap in regulatory licensing compliance between “stem cell” supplements and vitamin D or “longevity” supplements. Marketing discourse also presented potential conflict with regulatory parameters. We discuss the impacts of loosening NHP regulations and the potential for products with weak evidentiary bases to enhance validation through NPN licensing.