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This document provides information for industry on how Health Canada's Health Products and Food Branch interprets and applies the 2014 Regulations Amending the Food and Drug Regulations (Labelling, Packaging and Brand Names of Drugs for Human Use) for non-prescription (Over-the-Counter, OTC) drug products. These amendments are commonly referred to as the Plain Language Labelling (PLL) Regulations.

This proposed guidance will assist manufacturers, packagers, and distributors of non-prescription drugs in developing plain language labelling content for a Facts Table in a standardized format so that consumers can find important product information quickly and easily.

The Drug Facts Table for Non-prescription Drugs Guidance Document gives direction for designing safe and clear labels and packages.

Labelling standards are developed for drugs that have a well characterized safety and efficacy profile under specific conditions of use. A manufacturer may reference a labelling standard in a drug submission when the product and its labelling are consistent with the information set out in the document.

The Drug Facts Table provides a standardized format and location (on the label) for important product information. This helps consumers find and compare information quickly and easily.

This labelling standard describes the requirements necessary to receive market authorization (a Drug Identification Number (DIN)) for non-prescription oral antitussive products containing dextromethorphan or dextromethorphan hydrobromide as a single ingredient for use in adults and children 12 years of age and older to relieve symptoms of the common cold.

This labelling standard describes the requirements necessary to receive marketing authorization (a Drug Identification Number (DIN)) for oral decongestant non-prescription products containing phenylephrine hydrochloride as a single ingredient for use in adults and children 12 years of age and older.

A non-prescription drug Category IV Monograph outlines the permissible conditions of use and labelling requirements, such as dose, intended use, directions for use, warnings, active ingredients and combinations thereof.

A nonprescription drug labelling standard outlines the permissible conditions of use and labelling requirements, such as dose, intended use, directions for use, warnings, active ingredients and combinations thereof. Labelling standards are developed for drugs that have a well characterized safety and efficacy profile under specific conditions of use.

This labelling standard describes the requirements necessary to receive market authorization (a Drug Identification Number (DIN)) for oral stool softener laxative non-prescription products containing docusate sodium or docusate calcium as a single ingredient for use in adults and children 6 years of age and older to relieve occasional constipation.