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NEWS RELEASE LEGAL ACTION ANNOUNCED

5863 Leslie St Ste 711 Willowdale,
Ontario, M2H 1J8
May 21, 1997

For immediate use

TODAY AGAINST HEALTH PROTECTION BRANCH

Toronto, Ontario -- Armed with a petition signed by over 100,000 Canadians, Freedom Of Choice In Health Care today announced legal action against the Health Protection Branch (HPB) of the Federal Government to halt the present control the branch has over the natural health products industry. Commencing in June, the litigation involves a number of separate actions, and among other issues, challenges the legislative right the HPB has to enforce stringent controls which would effectively prohibit the use of many vitamins, minerals and herbs and could cause irreparable harm to the Canadian public and the industry.

Freedom of Choice in Health Care is a grass roots, non-profit organization which is dedicated to preserving access for Canadians to all safe, natural health products. Retaining the services of two legal firms, Paroian, Raphael and J. D. Barnett, Freedom of Choice in Health Care is initiating action, which could result in a modification of the Food and Drugs Act. The proposed changes to the Act would ensure that safe dietary supplements no longer be classified as "drugs" and could lead to the elimination of the "cost recovery" program which forces suppliers to pay large fees in order to sell these products.

"The current actions of the HPB are having a devastating effect on our right to self-care and will, thereby, place further burdens on our overly extended public health care system" says Marilyn Nelson, founder of Freedom of Choice in Health Care. "And, many Canadians who depend on natural supplements to maintain their health, are being forced into paying higher prices, or are being denied access altogether.

The governments own impact studies reportedly indicate that many health food stores would disappear within 2 years and, it is reported that, the few that remain would probably have to raise dietary supplement prices by 20-50%.

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