Claims about COVID-19

The College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC (CNPBC) has become aware that some registrants are promoting treatment or supplements as a means to boost the immune system and may imply that this will prevent infection from COVID-19.

Any statements by naturopathic doctors about the prevention and/or treatment of COVID-19, beyond the information made available by the public health authorities, are inappropriate, potentially harmful, and likely to violate the CNPBC’s Advertising Policy and/or Immunization Standard.  When brought to the attention of the CNPBC, such statements will be forwarded to the Inquiry Committee for investigation.

The CNPBC’s Advertising Policy and Immunization Standard prohibit marketing and/or advertising that is false, inaccurate, reasonably capable of misleading the public, unverifiable, or contrary to the public interest in the practice of the profession.

Need more information on COVID-19?

The most important resource for health care providers and the public is the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) website, which offers guidance to health professionals on COVID-19 and is updated on an ongoing basis. The Public Health Agency of Canada website also has detailed information on COVID-19 for health professionals.

Both the BCCDC and Public Health Agency of Canada websites provide guidance on infection control.

CNPBC operations

In an abundance of caution, the CNPBC is facilitating the ability for some of its staff to work from home. Staff will continue to respond to telephone and email inquiries, but response times may be moderately impacted.  We continue to monitor the situation and will advise registrants and the public when regular service levels will resume.