Mutual benefits: Health Canada's Health Products & Food Branch Assistant Deputy Minister Meena Ballantyne and Director of Health Dr PY Lam sign the plan of action for regulatory co-operation on natural health products.

Hong Kong and Canadian health authorities have signed a pact to enhance regulatory co-operation on natural health products by establishing formal mechanisms for joint co-operation and exchange of information.

Signing the deal today, Director of Health Dr PY Lam said the stronger bond will help safeguard and promote health in both places. It will enhance the safety and quality of these products and the reciprocal knowledge, understanding and updating of regulatory frameworks.

It came into immediate effect and will be reviewed before the expiry of its four-year term.

The areas of co-operation between Hong Kong and Canada include:

* exchange of information such as monographs, pharmacopoeia, standards, guidelines, terminology of natural health products, which include vitamins, minerals and traditional Chinese medicines;

* communication of adverse reaction reports, recalls, and other public warnings; and,

* joint workshops, technical exchanges and visits.