Should Kids Need a Prescription for Melatonin Sleep Aids?
Official title: Consultation: Adding melatonin for sleep-related use in the pediatric population to the Prescription Drug List
Health Canada wants to make melatonin a prescription-only product for anyone under 18. Right now, you can buy melatonin gummies at any pharmacy—no questions asked. The government thinks kids should see a doctor first to rule out other sleep problems and get the right dose.
Why This Matters
Got a kid who can't sleep? Millions of Canadian parents give their children melatonin—it's as easy as grabbing vitamins off the shelf. If this passes, you'd need a doctor's appointment and prescription first. That could mean longer waits and higher costs for families already struggling with bedtime battles.
What Could Change
Melatonin for kids under 18 would move from the natural health products aisle to behind the pharmacy counter. Parents would need a prescription to buy it. This would align Canada with Australia and Europe, where children's melatonin already requires a prescription.
Key Issues
- Should melatonin for children require a doctor's prescription?
- Is healthcare practitioner oversight necessary before giving melatonin to kids?
- Should the age limit apply to all children under 18, or a narrower group?
How to Participate
- Read the consultation page to understand Health Canada's proposal and rationale for requiring prescriptions for children's melatonin.
- Email your comments to drug.prescription.status-statut.dordonnance.des.drogues@hc-sc.gc.ca by the deadline.