Repeal of Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine Sales Rules

Summary#

The government published a proposal on June 28, 2025 to repeal the Order Establishing Supplementary Rules Respecting the Sale of Natural Health Products Containing Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine. If finalized, the repeal would remove that supplementary sales rule once the new Regulations Amending the Precursor Control Regulations (Increased Regulatory Oversight) take effect.

What it does#

• Repeals the existing Order Establishing Supplementary Rules Respecting the Sale of Natural Health Products Containing Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine (the earlier measure registered as SOR/2025-93).
• Ties the repeal’s start date to when the Regulations Amending the Precursor Control Regulations (Increased Regulatory Oversight) come into force. If the repeal order is registered after those regulations take effect, it comes into force on registration.
• This publication is a proposal. The Minister of Health (Marjorie Michel) is inviting comments for 45 days after the notice was published.

Who's affected#

• People who make, sell, or buy natural health products that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.
• Retailers and pharmacies that handle these products.
• Manufacturers and importers of such natural health products.
• Health Canada and the parts of government that oversee controlled substances and precursor rules.
  If the notice is unclear about any specific groups, the source does not give more detail.

Why it matters#

• The move would remove a special sales rule for products with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, which could change how those products are sold or regulated at stores and pharmacies.
• The repeal is linked to broader changes in precursor controls, so it is part of a larger regulatory update affecting substances used to make illegal drugs.
• Because this is a proposal, stakeholders can comment during the 45-day consultation before any repeal is finalized.