Repeal of Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine Sales Rules

Summary#

The Government of Canada published a proposed Order Repealing the Order Establishing Supplementary Rules Respecting the Sale of Natural Health Products Containing Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine. It would remove a previous set of special sale rules and tie that repeal to changes elsewhere in federal law under the Food and Drugs Act. The proposal was posted for public comment on June 28, 2025 and comments are being accepted for 45 days after that publication.

What it does#

• Repeals the existing Order Establishing Supplementary Rules Respecting the Sale of Natural Health Products Containing Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine (the earlier order given the identifier SOR/2025-93 in the source).
• Staggers when the repeal takes effect: it will come into force on the same day that the Regulations Amending the Precursor Control Regulations (Increased Regulatory Oversight) come into force, or, if the repeal order is registered later, on the day it is registered.
• Opens a public comment period (see “Who's affected” for how to send comments).

Who's affected#

• Retailers, pharmacies, and online sellers of natural health products that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine are the most likely to notice a change.
• Manufacturers and distributors of those products.
• Consumers who buy natural health products that include ephedrine or pseudoephedrine.
• Federal regulators and agencies involved in precursor and drug-safety controls, including the Department of Health and the Controlled Substances Directorate.
• It is not fully clear from the notice exactly how day-to-day sale or purchase rules will change; the repeal is linked to separate changes in the Precursor Control Regulations.

If you want to comment, the notice invites submissions within 45 days of the June 28, 2025 publication date. The notice names the Office of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs in the Controlled Substances Directorate, Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch, Department of Health as the contact for comments.

Why it matters#

• Rules about ephedrine and pseudoephedrine affect both public health and efforts to control chemicals used to make illegal drugs. Moving or removing the old supplementary rules could change how those products are sold, tracked, or enforced.
• For consumers, it could affect product availability or how sellers verify sales. For businesses, it could change compliance obligations depending on how the Precursor Control Regulations are amended.
• Because the repeal is tied to another regulatory change, the exact practical effects depend on the final text of the precursor regulation amendments. The notice does not spell out those details, so people directly affected may want to read the linked regulations or comment during the public consultation.