Science advisory committee on health products containing cannabis: Summary of affiliations and interests

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• Purpose
• Summary of affiliations and interests

Purpose

The following summarizes details regarding the affiliations and interests relevant to the Scientific Advisory Committee on Health Products containing Cannabis (SAC-HPCC) mandate declared by committee members. Health Canada considered these declarations as part of the selection process and has made this summary available as part of its commitment to be transparent about the membership of its advisory bodies.

In accordance with Health Canada's Policy on External Advisory Bodies, a person with affiliations and interests related to the mandate of an advisory body may still be appointed as a member of the advisory body. However, prior to each committee meeting, members are asked to provide updated declarations of affiliations and interests. Health Canada, in consultation with an external conflict of interest advisor, will assess members' affiliations and interests, as they may apply to agenda items for discussion.

The process used to select the external conflict of interest advisor for the Committee, Dr. Lisa Bero, as well as their duties, are similar to those outlined for Health Canada's Nutrition Science Advisory Committee.

Depending on the nature of the member's affiliations or interests, their participation in the Committee's activities may be restricted. Potential actions may include recusals from certain discussions where there is conflict, or the inability to formulate recommendations or contribute to written advice. In some cases, conflict of interest may result in the termination of the individual's membership on the Committee. Summaries of members' affiliations and interests are reviewed on an ongoing basis and updated as required.

Members are asked on an ongoing basis to declare the following affiliations and interests:

1. Direct financial interests
   1. Current employment, investments in companies, partnerships, equity, royalties, joint ventures, trusts, real property, stocks, shares or bonds, with the regulated industry
2. Indirect financial interests
   1. Within the past five years, payment from regulated industry for work done or being done, including past employment, contracts or consulting; or financial support including research support, personal education grants, contributions, fellowships, sponsorships, and honoraria.
   2. Within the past five years, materials, discounted products, gifts, or other benefits, or attendance at meetings where all or part of the travel and accommodation costs were provided by the regulated industry.
   3. Within the last three years, grants or other funding from the regulated industry to any of the organizations where you are currently employed or participate in internal decision-making.
3. Intellectual interests
   1. Within the last five years, any formal advice or opinion to industry, a government organization or a non-government organization on a matter of relevance to the SAC-HPCC
   2. Within the last five years, any published or publicly stated point of view on issues of relevance to the SAC-HPCC mandate
   3. Current professional or volunteer affiliations such as membership of professional societies, lobbying, public interest or advocacy groups, of relevance to the SAC-HPCC
4. Other
   1. Any other affiliations and interests or potential circumstances that might give a well-informed member of the public reasonable grounds for concern regarding the integrity and objectivity of your participation

Summary of affiliations and interests

The table below provides a summary of the responses to each corresponding question from committee members as of September 23, 2020.