Good afternoon. Thank you for inviting me to be here today.
My name is Andrea Donsky. I'm a registered holistic nutritionist, published menopause researcher, best-selling author of Nourishing Menopause, and co-founder of Morphus, a Canadian company focused on perimenopause and menopause.
I come to this conversation from several perspectives. I've personally used supplements for nearly 30 years. I've worked in the natural health industry representing supplement brands for more than 26 years, including launching my own brand. In 2022, I received the Canadian Health Food Association's John Holtmann Leadership Award, recognizing my long-standing contributions to the natural products industry. I also conduct research focused on women 35 and up. Also, I'm the co-founder of Morphus, a women's health education and supplement company.
My work has given me the opportunity to listen to many women over the years. To date, more than 20,000 women have shared their experiences through my company's surveys, and their voices are the foundation of my research. Findings from these surveys have resulted in seven published abstracts in Menopause, the official journal of the Menopause Society, with three more accepted for publication this December, bringing it to a total of 10.
What women are sharing with us is significant. We've documented more than 103 different symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, and women report experiencing an average of 31 different symptoms. This is where supplements become part of the conversation.
In our latest study on women's experiences with health care providers, supplements were among the most commonly recommended treatments, with nearly half reporting that their health care provider had suggested them. When women were asked what treatment options were effective in managing their symptoms, supplements were again among the most common responses, along with exercise and physical activity.
This is a common thread throughout our research. In our doctor's visits survey with more than 1,300 women, supplements were also among the most commonly recommended treatment options. In our sleep research with more than 3,400 women, over 40% said they used supplements to support their sleep.
As you can see, supplements play an important role in how women are managing their health and symptoms, so when we talk about natural health products, this isn't theoretical for me. I use them, health care providers and doctors are recommending them and women are choosing them as part of their health care routine.
As the co-founder of a Canadian women's health company that develops supplements, I also see this from a business perspective. I want to be clear. My business partner Randy and I strongly believe in regulation. We value and respect the safeguards that give consumers confidence in the products they're choosing. However, we also see first-hand how the regulatory environment can negatively impact a Canadian business.
Morphus is a Canadian company, but we launched our supplements in the United States first because it was faster and easier. For three years, we've been working towards launching them in Canada. That's three years of lost revenue for the Canadian market, while Canadian women have been asking us, “When can I buy your products in Canada?”
We hope to launch Morphus supplements in Canada in the new year, because we want Canadian women to have access to the products they're asking for. Women deserve high-quality supplements, appropriate safeguards, good information and the option to make informed choices about their health. That's why I support Bill C-224's proposal to exclude natural health products from the definition of therapeutic product.
As you consider Bill C-224, I hope women's experiences and voices remain at the centre of this conversation and in your final decision.
Thank you.