NDSAC

The National Drug Scheduling Advisory Committee (NDSAC)

Overview

The National Drug Scheduling Advisory Committee (NDSAC) was formed by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) in August, 1995. It was established to advise the provincial pharmacy regulatory authorities on matters relating to the placement of drugs within a three schedule/four category national model, through:

application of the drug scheduling factors and the cascading principle in making schedule recommendations. Determination of the appropriate schedule for a drug is made using the factors to find the best "fit".
recommendations on the appropriate conditions and place of sale of drugs in Canada, and
evaluation and maintenance of the drug scheduling factors.

Committee Members

NDSAC’s eight expert members are chosen for their knowledge and experience in such disciplines as pharmacotherapy, drug utilization, drug interactions and toxicology, pharmacy practise, academic research, the drug industry and pharmaceutical regulatory affairs at federal and provincial levels. This knowledge and experience must be relevant to the Canadian public and healthcare system.

In addition to the above, candidates for appointment to NDSAC must possess:

an appreciation of the health, pharmaceutical and marketplace contexts in which the committee’s recommendations will have impact,
objective analytical skills,
no personal stake in the scheduling recommendations of the committee,
a high degree of integrity and respect for the confidential nature of the proprietary information under study,
effective interpersonal skills relevant to committee dynamics,
an ability to serve in the best interests of the Canadian public, and
Canadian residency

NDSAC members are mandated to serve in the public interest, aiming to promote optimal pharmacotherapy while recognizing the role and responsibility of the patient in health care. Appointments of expert members are not representational in nature and NDSAC expert members may not directly forward the views of any business, organization or association. Committee members must declare any real or perceived conflicts of interest and adhere to confidentiality codes.

In addition to the eight expert members, representatives of the Consumers’ Association of Canada and Health Canada's Therapeutic Produts Directorate serve on the Committee.

Committee appointments are made by NAPRA pursuant to consultation with a wide range of stakeholders including the Drug Scheduling External Liaison Group. Information on Committee vacancies, recruitment and nomination processes is posted on this site on an ongoing basis.

Appointments are for three-year terms, renewable once. Committee members select a Chairman and Vice-Chairman from among the members, both one-year term positions.

NDSAC Members:

Kimberley Abbass, B.Sc.Pharm.

Sydney, Nova Scotia

Appointed: August 2007 to August 2010

Ms. Abbass is a health professional with many years of experience in both the private and the public sector. A graduate of Dalhousie University’s College of Pharmacy, her career has taken her from managing a pharmacy to inaugurating and teaching the Pharmacy Assistant program for the Cape Breton Business College, to Cardiovascular Resource Division Specialist for a leading research-based pharmaceutical company She is currently a pharmacist with the Sobey’s Pharmacy Group and a Chief Examiner with the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada.

Dawn Frail, B.Sc.Phm, M.Sc.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Appointed: April 2002 to March 2005
Re-appointed: March 2005 to September 2008

Ms. Frail is Manager of Drug Technology Assessment with the Pharmaceutical Services Division of the Nova Scotia Department of Health. She holds Bachelors in Pharmacy and Masters in Science degrees from the College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University; has worked in the pharmaceutical industry; and has practised pharmacy in both hospital and community settings. Ms. Frail is actively involved with best practices in pharmaceuticals, providing the secretariat for the Drug Evaluation Alliance of Nova Scotia (DEANS) and representing Nova Scotia on the Advisory Committee for the Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service (COMPUS). She is also a Past-President of the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists.

Dr. Sheldon Koven, M.D., Ph.D.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Appointed: April 2006 to April 2009

Dr. Sheldon Koven, M.D., Ph.D. is a member of the Department of Family Practice at the Seven Oaks General Hospital, and also serves as the Medical Director at the Sharon Nursing Home, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Koven has participated in a number of advisory committees at the local, regional, provincial and national levels. These include serving as Chairman of the Manitoba Drug Standards and Therapeutics Committee (1984-2003) and membership on Health Canada’s Canadian Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee (1994-1997). Dr. Koven obtained his M.D. as well as his Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Therapeutics from the University of Manitoba.

Dr. Nancy MacDonald, B.Sc.(Pharm), Pharm.D.

Guelph, Ontario

Appointed: September 2006 to September 2009

Dr. MacDonald worked in community and hospital pharmacy practice, undergraduate and clinical teaching and as Director of a regional Drug Information Center before beginning a career of more than 20 years with a major manufacturer of nonprescription drugs in Canada. During the latter, Dr. MacDonald was a frequent participant and representative of the industry in the development of provincial and federal regulatory policies pertaining to nonprescription drugs in Canada. Although officially retired from that role in 2003, she continues to work as an independent consultant accepting periodic assignments which match her healthcare interests and experience.

Kathy McInnes B.Sc. (Pharm)

Vancouver, British Columbia

Appointed: September 1, 2008 - August 31, 2010

Ms. McInnes is a Drug & Poison Information Pharmacist with the BC Drug and Poison Information Centre, in Vancouver, BC, as well as a Clinical Instructor at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia. From 2000 to 2006, Ms. McInnes served as Assistant Coordinator of the BC Regional Adverse Reaction Centre and has extensive experience as an instructor in drug safety (Pharmacy Students – UBC), optimal prescribing (Family Practice Medical Residents – UBC), and drug safety in lactation (International Pharmacy Graduate program). She is a licensed pharmacist in BC, a Certified Poison Information Specialist with the American Association of Poison Control Centres, and has completed a Specialty Residency in Drug & Poison Information.

Margot Priddle, Ph.C., B.Comm.

(Chair, June 2006 - June 2009)
St. John's, Newfoundland

Appointed: November 2003 - October 2006

Re-appointed: October 2006 - October 2009

Ms Priddle is a licensed pharmacist with extensive practice experience in community, hospital and long-term care settings. She is currently Pharmacy Consultant to the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information managing the implementation of the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Network.

Dr. Ruth Wilson, M.D., CCFP

(Vice-Chair, June 2008-March 2009)

Kingston, Ontario

Appointed: March 2006 to March 2009

Dr. Wilson is a practicing family physician, educator and a strong advocate of primary health care reform. Formerly Chair of the Department, and currently Professor of Family Medicine at Queen’s University, she served from 2001-2004 as Chair of the Ontario Family Health Network. Dr. Wilson is currently on the executive of the College of Family Physicians of Canada, the Ontario Women’s Health Council, the board of the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) and the Medical Advisory Committee of Clinidata. While maintaining her family practice in Kingston, including obstetrics, Dr. Wilson is on sabbatical 2005-2006.

Dr. Peter Zed, B.Sc.,B.Sc.(Pharm), Pharm. D.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Appointed: August 2007 to August 2010

Dr. Zed is a respected, award-winning practicing Doctor of Pharmacy. He is currently the Clinical Coordinator - Emergency Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax, and an Associate Professor at both the College of Pharmacy and at the Department of Emergency Medicine at Dalhousie University. An accomplished clinician, teacher, and researcher, with many publications and awards to his credit who has served on many committees, he is licensed in Nova Scotia and holds a Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada certificate.

Committee Observers:

Joan Sayer - Consumers Association of Canada
Don Hoffman - Therapeutic Products Directorate

Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest

Since the material provided to the Committee may contain confidential industry information, members are expected to respect the confidentiality of the materials and any related discussions.

In situations where real or perceived conflict of interest arise in the course of the Committee’s work, individuals must declare its existence and thereby disqualify themselves from participation in the discussion or depending on the situation, from membership on the Committee.

See "Conflict of Interest Guidelines and Confidentiality Obligations for Members of NDSAC" that members must comply with.

Last Updated: 2008-7-10
© 2002-2004 National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use: By accessing this site you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.