Health Canada says it’s taken ‘appropriate action’ against interim NDP leader

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This article was published 08/06/2016 (3775 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Health Canada said it has taken “appropriate action” against interim NDP leader Flor Marcelino for her importation and distribution of dried guyabano leaves.

Officials said from Ottawa that Health Canada is satisfied the situation has been addressed.

But they won’t say what action they took against Marcelino, and will not say whether they seized any of the natural medicine Marcelino had previously claimed both healed and cured cancer.

“Health Canada has followed up on the matter that was referred and has communicated with the individual involved. Based on the response received by the department, we are satisfied that the complaint has been addressed,” officials said by email from Ottawa. “Health Canada has followed up on the complaint and has taken appropriate action.”

Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen had filed a complaint with Health Canada following a story in the Free Press May 28.

An aide to Goertzen said the minister has no additional comments to make about what, if anything, he’s heard from Health Canada.

Health Canada could not say Wednesday what communication that it may have sent to Marcelino.

Staff for the interim NDP leader said Wednesday that she has not yet received a formal communication from the federal department’s headquarters in Ottawa. She has had informal contact with a local official in Winnipeg, staff said.

Marcelino had previously said that for the past three years she has brought into Canada dried leaves from the guyabano fruit plant, and has asked others to bring her back dried leaves from the Philippines. She has distributed them free to relatives, friends and strangers as a purported beneficial treatment of cancer, including from her office in the legislature.

Both Health Canada and CancerCare Manitoba say there is no scientific evidence that guyabano treats cancer, but there is medical evidence of harmful or even dangerous side effects in ingesting it. There are regulations covering and permits required for importing and distributing guyabano.

‎”Flor has been asked to abide by Health Canada regulations, and she has confirmed with them that she will do so. I expect that resolves this matter,” the NDP said Wednesday.

Marcelino has previously agreed not to make any future references to guyabano leaves as a cancer treatment, and has agreed not to use her legislature office to distribute them.

Officials have said not only is there no medical evidence guyabano — also known as graviola, soursop or annona muricata — is an effective treatment for cancer, there are potentially dangerous side effects in ingesting its leaves.

Ottawa requires approvals and permits to bring guyabano leaves into Canada and to sell or give it away, and has regulations requiring it be promoted only for authorized uses.

 

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca