Health Canada has approved Rebyota, a fecal microbiota product, for use in Canada. Following this approval, Rebyota has been added to the list of drugs that naturopathic doctors (NDs) in British Columbia may prescribe under specific conditions.
The College would like to clarify that this approval applies only to Rebyota, the drug approved by Health Canada, and only for its authorized purpose: preventing the recurrence of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in adults after antibiotic treatment for recurrent CDI. Rebyota is not indicated for treating an active CDI infection.
NDs in B.C. are permitted to access and administer Rebyota exclusively for this approved use. Any use outside of this scope is not permitted.
At this time, classical Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) is not within naturopathic scope. This includes the collection, preparation, or administration of fecal material by NDs. The College has not yet determined whether classical FMT for recurrent CDI falls within scope under Health Canada’s policy. Until that review is complete, NDs must not administer or order classical FMT or use self-compounded or collected fecal material for any purpose, including CDI-related care.
In addition, other uses of Rebyota, such as for gastrointestinal or metabolic conditions, remain outside the naturopathic scope of practice.
For questions or clarification, please contact CCHPBC Practice Support at practicesupport@cchpbc.ca with the subject line “Fecal Microbiota.”
