National Pharmacare Committee of Experts: Overview

Dr. Nav Persaud is the Canada Research Chair in Health Justice, Staff Physician in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital in Unity Health Toronto, and Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto.

His research focuses on health equity, especially as it relates to medicine access. He also compares national essential medicines lists in collaboration with the World Health Organization.

Dr. Persaud is a scientist with MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital. Dr. Persaud was named one of Canada's Top 40 under 40 in 2017.

Amy Lamb is the Executive Director of Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada and advocates for pharmacy practice, Indigenous and holistic health, women's health, and leadership development. As a Métis woman and member of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, Amy advocates for vulnerable and systemically harmed community members, access, and other systemic barriers in pharmacy practice and Canadian healthcare systems. Amy has a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan and has worked as a front-line community pharmacist for 10 years, specializing in women's and holistic health. She has in-depth experience navigating the health access and equity needs of diverse populations, with experience serving urban, remote, and fly-in Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan. She gives back to her community by empowering the structural determinants of health fulfilled by local non-profits, including as Chair of the YWCA Prince Albert for the past 5 years. She adds to diverse perspectives and guidance work as a member of the Canadian Medical Association's Indigenous Guiding Circle, the Canadian Pharmacists Association Workplace Wellness Task Force, and the Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network's Indigenization Working Group.

Dr. Steve Morgan is a professor at the University of British Columbia's School of Population and Public Health. His research focuses on policies to promote universal access to appropriately-prescribed, affordably priced, and equitably financed medicines. Dr. Morgan has published over 200 research papers and held more than $4 million in peer-reviewed research grants. He regularly provides policy advice to governments across Canada and has served on advisory committees of international agencies, such as the World Health Organization and the OECD. Dr. Morgan received degrees in economics from the University of Western Ontario, Queen's University, and the University of British Columbia. He received post-doctoral training in health policy at McMaster University.

Linda Silas has been the President of the 250,000-strong Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) since 2003. As the dynamic and charismatic leader of Canada's largest nurses' organization, Linda is recognized as the foremost advocate on behalf of nurses in Canada.

Linda has earned a reputation for being a caring listener who is focused and solution-oriented in everything she does. A proud New Brunswicker, Linda credits her home province for both her impressive work ethic and her well-known zest for life and adventure.

Linda has fine-tuned her skills as a union leader at the local, provincial, national and international levels over the course of two decades. She is a passionate speaker whose straight-talking in both official languages inspires nurses and earns the respect of policy-makers and stakeholders.

Linda was previously the President of the New Brunswick Nurses Union (NBNU) for 10 years. Linda is a graduate of l'Université de Moncton, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and has practiced in the ICU, emergency, and labour and delivery.