Health Canada officials have issued a public health warning following the seizure of unauthorized cancer treatments from a British Columbia clinic. The regulatory action took place during an inspection on October 30, 2025, raising concerns about potential health risks to patients.
Clinic Inspection and Seizure Details
The regulatory intervention occurred when Health Canada staff conducted an inspection at the B.C. clinic operated by Svetlana Rilkoff. On October 30, 2025, officials identified and confiscated cancer treatments that were not authorized for use in Canada. Rilkoff documented the inspection process by posting video footage of Health Canada staff examining her business operations.
Health Canada has emphasized that the seized products may pose significant health risks to consumers. The unauthorized treatments lacked proper regulatory approval, meaning their safety, efficacy, and manufacturing standards had not been verified by Canadian health authorities.
Potential Health Risks Identified
Officials have warned that using unauthorized cancer treatments can lead to serious health consequences. Unapproved medical products may contain incorrect ingredients, improper dosages, or harmful contaminants that could worsen patient conditions or cause additional health complications.
The specific nature of the seized treatments and the exact health risks they pose have not been fully disclosed, but Health Canada maintains that any medical product not approved through proper channels represents a potential danger to public health.
Public Safety Recommendations
Health Canada is urging Canadians to exercise caution when considering cancer treatments and to verify that any medical product they use has received proper authorization. Patients should consult with licensed healthcare providers and only use treatments that have been approved through Canada's rigorous regulatory process.
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report any adverse reactions or concerns about unauthorized medical products to Health Canada. The agency continues to monitor the situation and may take additional regulatory actions as necessary to protect public safety.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges regulators face in ensuring that all medical treatments available to Canadians meet established safety standards. Health Canada remains committed to identifying and addressing unauthorized health products that could endanger patient wellbeing.
