title: The impact of implementation of the Canadian regulatory requirements on the quality of natural health products: the glucosamine case.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated whether the recent implementation of the regulatory requirements for the entry to the Canadian market of natural products has resulted in improved quality of the available glucosamine products.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven available products, of which 8 had been tested in 2002 (7 had contained substantially lower than the label claim of the active ingredient), and a European pharmaceutical grade tablet were assayed for their glucosamine content. The potassium and sodium contents of the products were also tested.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine of the 11 Canadian products and the European tablet had more than 91% of the label claim of the active ingredient, hence, met the criterion. Two products contained 71 and 78% label claim. The electrolyte contents were very variable but constituted only a small fraction of the daily requirements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most tested glucosamine products passed the Health Canada requirements. This improvement is likely due to the publicity regarding the low quality of the products in the past and also a result, at least in part, of the introduction of the new regulatory requirements. The sub-standard quality of a few tested products is still of concern.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Alberta.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aghazadeh-Habashi
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duke
authors.forename: Fakhreddin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jamali
mesh_terms: D001688:Biological Products / Q000592:standards* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004151:Dipeptides; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control; D005944:Glucosamine / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D011786:Quality Control; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis; D013607:Tablets / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D001688:Biological Products; D004151:Dipeptides; D013607:Tablets; C068249:N-(3-ethoxycarbonyloxirane-2-carbonyl)-isoleucyl-proline; D012964:Sodium; D005944:Glucosamine; D011188:Potassium