July 24, 2025 (Mississauga, ON) — Today, Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP) joins global stakeholders in celebrating International Self-Care Day under the global theme: Self-Care is Healthcare.
As healthcare systems continue to face mounting pressure and the growing burden of chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), evidence-based self-care has emerged as a critical tool in building more sustainable, resilient, and equitable systems of care.
Self-care empowers individuals to take control of their health through everyday actions like mindful eating, physical activity, stress management, symptom recognition, and the responsible use of medicines and health products. These behaviours reduce strain on healthcare systems, slow disease progression, and improve outcomes for individuals and society alike.
“Self-care is healthcare. It’s a vital, evidence-based solution that can help combat the rising tide of chronic disease while easing the pressure on overstretched healthcare systems,” says FHCP CEO, Michael Graydon. “Now more than ever, we need a national strategy that empowers Canadians to manage their health and access the tools they need to do so.”
Across Canada, however, regulatory gaps and policy fragmentation continue to limit access to the tools and knowledge Canadians need to practice effective self-care. Despite strong public support, Canada remains the only G7 country without a national framework to advance self-care as part of healthcare.
One of the biggest barriers is the slow, costly process of switching medicines from prescription to non-prescription status. Canadians wait an average of 7–10 years longer than those in the U.S. and Europe to access newly switched products — delaying care and increasing pressure on the system. This is compounded by inconsistent provincial drug scheduling, which leads to inequitable access for consumers and operational hurdles for manufacturers.
The consequences are real. According to the Conference Board of Canada, switching just one class of medications — for heartburn — was projected to save more than $700 million in healthcare and economic costs.
To unlock these benefits, FHCP is calling for regulatory reform that separates non-prescription oversight from prescription frameworks and establishes a modern, risk-based pathway. This would accelerate innovation, expand consumer access, and bring Canada in line with international best practices.
Self-care must be embedded into health policy as a frontline defense against NCDs like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and mental illness. These conditions account for the vast majority of preventable illness and cost — many of which can be better managed or delayed through improved health literacy, earlier intervention, and access to self-care tools.
This International Self-Care Day, FHCP joins the Global Self-Care Federation in calling on government to:
- Recognize self-care as healthcare, and integrate it into a national health strategy;
- Modernize Canada’s switch and drug scheduling systems to improve access;
- Support the full implementation of Health Canada’s Self-Care Framework; and
- Invest in health literacy to equip Canadians with the knowledge and confidence to care for themselves effectively.
To explore resources on evidence-based self-care and how Canadians and policymakers can unlock its benefits, read our Blueprint for a National Self-Care Strategy or visit selfcare.ca. To learn more about the global self-care movement, visit self-care-is-healthcare.org.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL SELF-CARE DAY
International Self-Care Day is held annually on July 24 (7/24) to represent the ongoing benefits of self-care — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The day raises awareness of the value of self-care in improving health outcomes, reducing healthcare burden, and empowering individuals to be active participants in their own health.
ABOUT FHCP
Food, Health & Consumer Products of Canada (FHCP) is the voice of Canada’s leading food, health, and consumer product manufacturers. Our sector employs more Canadians than any other manufacturing industry, providing the essential, high-quality products that support healthy homes, healthy communities, and a healthy Canada. Learn more at OnEveryShelf.ca.