Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor announces two new members of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

From: Health Canada

News release

June 29, 2018                Ottawa, ON                Government of Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to open, transparent and merit-based selection processes for Governor in Council appointments.

Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Health, announced the appointments of Dr. Ingrid Sketris and Mr. Matthew Herder to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB).

Dr. Ingrid Sketris is a licensed pharmacist and professor at the College of Pharmacy at Dalhousie University, with appointments to Medicine and Health Services Administration. She is a leader in pharmacy, and has served as President of the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada and as a board member of the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs.

Mr. Matthew Herder is an Associate Professor with the Health Law Institute and the Faculties of Medicine and Law at Dalhousie University. Professor Herder’s research focuses on biomedical innovation policy, with a particular emphasis on intellectual property law.

The PMPRB is an independent quasi-judicial body established by Parliament in 1987 under the Patent Act. The PMPRB protects and informs Canadians by ensuring that the prices of patented medicines sold in Canada are not excessive and by reporting on pharmaceutical trends.

Quotes

“I am very pleased to announce the appointments of Dr. Ingrid Sketris and Mr. Matthew Herder to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board. Dr. Sketris has worked extensively to improve drug safety, effectiveness and affordability, and Professor Herder is a prominent member of the academic community who works at the intersection between pharmaceutical innovation and patent law.”

The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health

Quick facts

  • The PMPRB reports annually to Parliament via the Minister of Health, who may refer matters to the Board for inquiry. The Board consists of not more than five members who serve on a part-time basis, appointed by the Governor in Council, including a Chairperson and a Vice-chairperson.

  • The Government of Canada is currently taking steps to better protect Canadians from excessive drug prices. The proposed amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations represent the first major update to the regulations in more than 20 years. The proposed amendments are intended to provide the PMPRB with the tools it needs to better protect Canadian consumers from the high prices of patented drugs. Through these amendments the Government of Canada is taking steps to ensure that Canadians will have access to and be able to afford medicines that are necessary for their health and well-being.

  • As announced by the Prime Minister in February 2016, the Government is committed to open and transparent processes for selecting Governor in Council appointees. The selection approach is merit-based. It is designed to identify highly qualified candidates who are committed to the principles of public service and embrace public service values, while striving to achieve regional representation and gender parity.

Associated links

Contacts

Thierry Bélair
Office of Ginette Petitpas Taylor
Minister of Health
613-957-0200

Media Relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983
hc.media.sc@canada.ca

Public Inquiries:
613-957-2991
1-866 225-0709

 

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