How to Check an NPN or DIN on Health Canada's Database
Short answer: in Canada, licensed natural health products carry an eight-digit NPN (Natural Product Number), and authorized drugs carry an eight-digit DIN (Drug Identification Number). Homeopathic medicines carry a DIN-HM. You can check any of these numbers for free in Health Canada's online databases: the Licensed Natural Health Products Database (LNHPD) for NPNs and DIN-HMs, and the Drug Product Database (DPD) for DINs.
NPN, DIN and DIN-HM at a glance
| Number on the label | What it's on | Where to check it |
|---|---|---|
| NPN (8 digits) | Natural health products: vitamins and minerals, herbal remedies, probiotics, omega-3s, traditional medicines and some everyday consumer products | Licensed Natural Health Products Database (LNHPD) |
| DIN-HM (8 digits) | Homeopathic medicines | Licensed Natural Health Products Database (LNHPD) |
| DIN (8 digits) | Drugs, including non-prescription (over-the-counter) and prescription medicines | Drug Product Database (DPD) |
Why the number matters
- Natural health products and homeopathic medicines must be licensed by Health Canada before they can be sold in Canada, and the licence number has to appear on the label. Drugs need a DIN.
- Looking the number up confirms that the product in your hand matches what Health Canada authorized: the brand name, the company and the medicinal ingredients.
- It also shows whether the authorization is still current. A product whose licence has been cancelled or suspended can't legally be sold in Canada.
- If a supplement or medicine has no NPN, DIN or DIN-HM on its label, ask why before you buy it.
How to check an NPN or DIN-HM in the LNHPD
- Find the number on the label. Look for "NPN" or "DIN-HM" followed by eight digits.
- Open the search page: Search licensed natural health products on health-products.canada.ca.
- Type only the eight digits in the product number field. Don't type the letters "NPN" or "DIN-HM". If you only know part of the number, a partial search also works.
- Run the search. The results list the product licence number, the brand name and the licence holder (the company).
- Click the licence number to open the product's details, and compare them with your label: brand name, company and medicinal ingredients should all match.
Good to know: products still under review are not in the LNHPD, so the database can't tell you the status of a pending application. Health Canada updates the data nightly.
How to check a DIN in the Drug Product Database
- Find the DIN on the label. It is an eight-digit number after the letters "DIN".
- Open the search page: Drug Product Database online query on health-products.canada.ca.
- Type the eight digits in the DIN field. Leave out spaces, hyphens and other punctuation; the database doesn't recognize them. A DIN search runs on its own, so you don't need to fill in any other field.
- Run the search. Because each DIN is unique, you should get a single record.
- Check the record against your package: brand name, company, active ingredients and strength. No DIN handy? You can also search by brand name, company or active ingredient.
What the DPD status means
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Marketed | The DIN is active and the product is currently sold in Canada. |
| Dormant | The product is still authorized but hasn't been sold for at least 12 months in a row. |
| Cancelled Post-Market | The company stopped selling a product that was on the market. The DIN is no longer active. |
| Cancelled Pre-Market | The DIN was cancelled before the product was ever sold in Canada. |
What a licence number doesn't tell you
An NPN or DIN shows that a product is authorized for sale in Canada for the uses and directions on its Canadian label. It doesn't mean the product is right for you. If you take other medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition, ask a pharmacist before adding a supplement or an over-the-counter medicine.
Try it with a product from Healthy Hub
These in-stock products list their NPN on the product page. Enter the number in the LNHPD and compare the result with the label:
- Genestra D-Mulsion 1000 Citrus Drops, 30 mL (vitamin D)
- Designs for Health Magnesium Glycinate Complex, 120 capsules
- Designs for Health Complete Mineral Complex, 90 capsules
Browse more in Vitamins & Minerals and Immune Support, or read our guide to vitamin C and zinc for colds.
Sources
- Health Canada. Licensed Natural Health Products Database (LNHPD).
- Health Canada. Search licensed natural health products.
- Health Canada. LNHPD user guide.
- Health Canada. Information on homeopathic products (DIN-HM).
- Health Canada. Drug Product Database: access the database.
- Health Canada. Drug Product Database search tips.
- Health Canada. Drug Product Database terminology (status definitions).
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Ask your pharmacist or doctor about your own situation.
Related guides: How to Read a Natural Health Product Label in Canada · Cold & Flu Medicine in Canada: Decongestant, Expectorant or Cough Suppressant?