Should Melatonin for Kids Require a Prescription?
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 drug for anyone under 18. Right now, you can buy it off the shelf for adults, but there's no approved version for kids. The government says a doctor should check for underlying sleep issues before children take it.
Why This Matters
Ever given your kid melatonin gummies to help them sleep? Millions of parents do. If this passes, you'd need a doctor's prescription first. That means an appointment, a conversation about sleep habits, and possibly a cost if your province doesn't cover it.
What Could Change
Melatonin products for kids would move from the health food aisle to behind the pharmacy counter. Parents would need a prescription for any sleep-related use in children under 18. This aligns Canada with Australia and Europe, where kids' melatonin already requires a prescription.
Key Issues
- Should melatonin for all children under 18 require a prescription, or just for specific conditions?
- Is doctor supervision necessary before children use melatonin for sleep?
- Should Canada align with Australia and Europe on prescription requirements for pediatric melatonin?
How to Participate
- Read the Safety Summary Review to understand Health Canada's safety concerns about melatonin in children.
- Email your comments to drug.prescription.status-statut.dordonnance.des.drogues@hc-sc.gc.ca by the deadline.
Submit Your Input
Questions Being Asked (2)
- Do you support the proposal to make melatonin a prescription drug for all sleep-related uses in children and adolescents under 18?
- Should healthcare practitioner oversight be required before children use melatonin for sleep?