Overview
Not all health type products are created equal!
Some creams, supplements, or treatments may seem like health products, but only certain products are actually approved for sale in Canada.
To help you get the most out of your Plan, here’s a quick explainer on what makes a product eligible, how Canadian licensing works, and why items purchased outside of Canada may not qualify.
Let’s break it down!
The details
Why licensing matters (and what it even is)
In Canada, products like supplements, topical treatments, and over-the-counter medicines must be reviewed and approved by Health Canada before they can be sold as regulated health products.
If a product is approved, it will have one of these magic numbers:
- DIN – Drug Identification Number
- DIN-HM – Drug Identification Number for homeopathic products
- NPN – Natural Product Number
These numbers confirm that the entire product formulation has been checked for:
- Safety
- Effectiveness
- Accuracy of claims
No DIN/DIN-HM/NPN? Then Health Canada likely considers it cosmetic, general skincare, or unregulated. Unfortunately, that means it’s not eligible under most Plans.
Licensed vs. unlicensed: what’s the difference?
Licensed
A product is licensed if:
- It has a DIN, DIN-HM or NPN printed on the packaging
- It shows up in
- The Licensed Natural Health Products Database (LNHPD)
- The Drug Product Database (DPD)
If you’re holding the bottle and see a DIN, DIN-HM or NPN, amazing! That’s the green light that it’s a regulated product in Canada. Our team will take a look and ensure that it’s also an eligible expense.
Unlicensed
Common signs a product is not licensed:
- No DIN-HM or NPN on the bottle
- Purchased in another country (especially the US)
- Marketed more as a cosmetic or wellness item than a health product
Even if one ingredient (like witch hazel!) appears in Health Canada’s system, the whole product needs approval, not just one part of it.
If you’re shopping while traveling or ordering online, always look for that DIN/DIN-HM/NPN to know whether it can potentially be reimbursed.
How to check your product
Turn the bottle around and look for:
- DIN (Drug Identification Number)
- DIN-HM (Drug Identification Number for homeopathic products)
- NPN (Natural Product Number)
If you don’t see one of these numbers, it’s likely not approved for sale as a regulated product in Canada, which impacts eligibility.
You can also send us a clear photo of the packaging, and we’ll take a peek with you!
Anything else?
If your product isn’t licensed in Canada, you can often find a Canadian-approved equivalent. Same purpose, just with Canadian regulatory approval stamped on it.
Eligible products are always tied to your specific Plan design, take a look at your benefit features in your Member Centre to familiarize yourself with what or may not be eligible.
Still have questions? We’re always excited to help you get the most out of your benefits, just reach out and our team will be happy to review your request!