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.

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, a representative of the Consumers’ Association of Canada serves on the Committee to ensure that the views of the Canadian public are directly represented in committee deliberations.

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:

Mark Armstrong, B.Sc. (Physiol/Pharm), M.D., CCFPC.
Edmonton, Alberta

Appointed: February 2000 to February 2003

Dr. Armstrong is a physician on staff at the Department of Family Medicine, Grey Nuns' Hospital in Edmonton. He has also served as a member of the hospital's Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee.

Murray Brown, B.Sc.Phm, Pharm.D.
Markham, Ontario

Appointed: May 2000 to May 2003

Dr. Brown has extensive experience in governmental, regulatory and professional affairs, within the Canadian pharmaceutical industry. He holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Michigan and a B.Sc.Phm from the University of Toronto.

Marilyn Caughlin, B.S.P., M.D.
Regina, Saskatchewan

Appointed: December 1998 to December 2001
Re-appointed: December 2001 to December 2004

Dr. Caughlin is a family practitioner and serves on the Saskatchewan Formulary Committee. She has been an active member of the provincial government's "Joint Committee on Drug Utilization" and a reviewer for the Canadian Pharmacist's Association "Therapeutic Choices".

Phil Hudson, B. Pharm, MRPharmS.
Kitchener, Ontario

Appointed: August 2001 to August 2004

Mr. Hudson's practice in southwestern Ontario is considered leading edge in terms of customer focus, collaborative prescribing and pharmaceutical care. He is a past President of the Ontario College of Pharmacists & Vice-President of NAPRA, and chaired NAPRA's National Standards of Practice Committee that was responsible for developing the 1998 "Model Standards of Practice for Canadian Pharmacists."

Appointed: August 1995 to August 1998
Re-appointed: August 1998 to August 2001 *extended to February 28, 2002

Ms. Jardine practises community pharmacy in Fredericton on a part time basis, and is a pharmacy consultant with the N.B. Prescription Drug Program

Colleen Metge, Ph.D. (Pharmacy practise and Science) (Chairman)
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Appointed: October 1999 to October 2002

Dr. Metge is Assistant Professor of Pharmacy at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, and former policy Fellow with the Center on Drugs and Public Policy, in Baltimore, Maryland.

Joan Sayer, B.Sc.
Scarborough, Ontario

Jeff Taylor, Pharm.D.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Appointed: May 2000 to May 2003

Dr. Taylor is on the faculty at the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, where he has taught in the area of nonprescription drug therapy for 10 years. He has a special interest and renown expertise in the area of non-prescription drug therapy in Canada, England, Australia and the US.

Janet Webb, B.Sc.(Pharm), M.Sc.(Medicine)
Vancouver, B.C.

Appointed: August 1995 to August 1998
Re-appointed: August 1998 to August 2001 *extended to February 28, 2002

Ms. Webb is Supervisor of the Drug Information Program at the B.C. Drug and Poison Information Centre, and Clinical Instructor with the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of British Columbia

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.