Repeal of Sales Rules for Ephedrine Products

Summary#

The federal government is proposing to repeal the Order Establishing Supplementary Rules Respecting the Sale of Natural Health Products Containing Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine. The notice was published on June 28, 2025, and people can comment for 45 days after that date. This is a proposal, not a final change yet.

What it does#

• Removes (repeals) the existing Order Establishing Supplementary Rules Respecting the Sale of Natural Health Products Containing Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine (originally registered as SOR/2025-93).
• Links the repeal to the coming-into-force of the Regulations Amending the Precursor Control Regulations (Increased Regulatory Oversight): the repeal would take effect on the same day those regulations come into force (or on the day this repeal order is registered if that happens later).
• Opens a comment period: the Department of Health is asking for public input for 45 days after the Canada Gazette notice.

Who's affected#

• Producers and sellers of natural health products that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine (for example, some herbal or over-the-counter products).
• Retailers, pharmacies, and online sellers who handle those products.
• Regulators and law enforcement that oversee precursors used in illegal drug manufacture.
• Ordinary consumers of these products may notice changes in how they are sold or labeled.
  If the source is unclear about specific rules being removed or replaced, the practical effects depend on the details in the linked precursor-regulation changes.

Why it matters#

• Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are chemicals that have both medical uses and potential for misuse as drug precursors. Repealing the supplementary sales rules could change how these products are controlled, sold, or tracked.
• Businesses that make or sell these products may need to change their practices depending on what the new precursor regulations require.
• Consumers could see changes in availability, purchase limits, or identification requirements.
• The full impact depends on the content and timing of the Regulations Amending the Precursor Control Regulations (Increased Regulatory Oversight), which determine what replaces or supplements the current rules.