Kimberley Abbass, B.Sc.Pharm.
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Appointed: August 2007 to August 2010
Reappointed: August 2010 to August 2013
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 currently practices in the Critical Care Units (ICU/CCU) at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital and maintains a part-time practice in community pharmacy. Ms. Abbass is also a Chief Examiner with the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada.
Gail Bradley, B.S.P.
Regina, SK
Appointed: October 2008 to October 2011
Gail Bradley worked for 20 years as an Administrative Pharmacist with the Drug Plan & Extended Benefits Branch for the Government of Saskatchewan's Ministry of Health. One of her primary responsibilities was the coordination of the Saskatchewan Formulary Committee wherein she acted as the key resource for both the Committee and, in turn, the Minister of Health and liased with the (provincial) Drug Quality Assessment Committee. Prior to her employment with the Government of Saskatchewan, Ms. Bradley practiced as both a community pharmacist in the provincial capital and a hospital pharmacist at the Regina General Hospital.
Dr. Sheldon Koven, M.D., Ph.D.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Appointed: April 2006 to April 2009
Re-appointed: April 2009 to April 2012
Dr. Sheldon Koven, M.D., Ph.D. serves as the Medical Director at the Sharon Nursing Home, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dr. Koven provides Occupational Health Consultative Services to numerous companies and serves as the Medical Consultant to the Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks General Hospital. 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
Re-appointed: October 2009 to October 2012
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.
Dr. Carlo Marra, B.Sc. (Pharm), Pharm.D., Ph.D., FCSHP
Vancouver, British Columbia
Appointed: November 2010 to November 2013
Dr. Marra is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of British Columbia and the Director for the Collaboration for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE). Dr. Marra is a Canada Research Chair in Pharmaceutical Outcomes and serves on a variety of committees both at the university and Ministry of Health. Dr. Marra is also a licensed pharmacist and practices in the area of rheumatology.
Kathy McInnes, B.Sc. (Pharm)
(Vice Chair, September 2010)
Vancouver, British Columbia
Appointed: September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2010
Reappointed: August 2010 to August 2013
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.
Dr. Ruth Wilson, M.D., CCFP
(Chair, September 2010)
Kingston, Ontario
Appointed: March 2006 to March 2009
Re-appointed: March 2009 to March 2012
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 a Past President of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
Dr. Peter Zed, B.Sc.,B.Sc.(Pharm), Pharm. D.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Appointed: August 2007 to August 2010
Re-appointed: August 2010 to August 2013
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
Dr. Ratna Bose, PhD - Therapeutic Products Directorate