Essential Prescription Drugs and Related Products Advisory Panel 

A time-limited advisory panel has been formed to prepare a list of essential prescription drugs, and related products when appropriate, to inform the development of a national formulary. The panel is composed of 12 members, including 2 co-chairs. Members represent diverse perspectives across gender, race, culture, and geographic regions in Canada.  

The group is tasked with developing a list of recommended essential prescription drugs and related products across various therapeutic classes, focusing on those that have been proven to be safe, effective, and cost-effective. The group is also responsible for delivering a report that outlines the methodology used to determine the list, including the assessment and selection  criteria, which could guide future updates to the list in a consistent manner. This work contributes to the federal government’s broader efforts in developing national pharmacare.  

Co-Chair

Dr. Alexandra King (Saskatchewan and Ontario)

Alexandra is an internal medicine specialist with a focus on HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C. Alexandra is a member of the Nipissing First Nation (Ontario) and the Cameco Chair in Indigenous Health and Wellness at the University of Saskatchewan.  

Dr. Alexandra King reports no conflicts of interest in accordance with the CDA-AMC Conflicts of Interest Guidelines.

(Conflict of Interest Disclosure dated November 2024)

Allen Lefebvre (Saskatchewan)

Allen has extensive management and volunteer leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector and health care. His involvement began through his son’s cancer care and led to roles such as Vice-Chair of the National Blood Safety Council and public member on the CADTH Canadian Drug Expert Committee (2014 to 2021). He continues to serve on several advisory committees representing patient perspectives.  

Allen Lefebvre is the public member of the Drug Advisory Committee of Saskatchewan, a role he has held since 2010.  

(Conflict of Interest Disclosure dated November 2024)

Members

John Mah (British Columbia)

John is Vice President of Health Benefits and Services at the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), responsible for delivering health services to over 155,000 First Nations in British Columbia. A pharmacist by training, he holds an MBA and has held senior roles in Indigenous health with Health Canada before joining FNHA.  

John Mah reports no conflicts of interest in accordance with the CDA-AMC Conflicts of Interest Guidelines.  

(Conflict of Interest Disclosure dated December 2024)

Dr. Seyi Akinola (Alberta)

Seyi is an Academic Family Physician with a focus on vulnerable populations. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary and an investigator with the Equity in Health Systems Lab. She cofounded Building This Generation and is a recognized leader in EDIA initiatives.  

Dr. Seyi Akinola reports no conflicts of interest in accordance with the CDA-AMC Conflicts of Interest Guidelines.  

(Conflict of Interest Disclosure dated November 2024)

Dr. Marie Grisbrook  (Alberta)

Marie is a Family/All Ages Nurse Practitioner with over 10 years’ experience in acute care, family practice, and mental health. She holds a PhD focused on maternity care and pediatric outcomes and actively contributes to improving access to care for vulnerable populations.  

Marie Grisbrook reports no conflicts of interest in accordance with the CDA-AMC Conflicts of Interest Guidelines.  

(Conflict of Interest Disclosure dated November 2024)

Kevin Wilson (Saskatchewan)

Kevin is a former pharmaceutical policy executive with over 30 years of leadership experience at provincial and national levels. He has led initiatives including the CDA-AMC pan-Canadian Oncology Drug Review and co-chaired the Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance’s generic drug negotiations.  

Kevin Wilson anticipates participating in a session about increasing uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, which would be funded by Morse/Gilead Sciences.  

(Conflict of Interest Disclosure dated November 2024)

Dr. Catherine Cook (Manitoba)

Catherine, a Métis physician from northern Manitoba, has led transformative Indigenous health initiatives. As Vice-President (Indigenous) at the University of Manitoba, she was instrumental in founding Ongomiizwin and has been recognized nationally for her contributions to public health and Indigenous policy.  

Dr. Catherine Cook is the National Indigenous Advisor for Arthritis Society Canada, which is a charitable organization which has received donations from various pharmaceutical companies.  

(Conflict of Interest Disclosure dated November 2024)

Connie Côté (Ontario)

Connie is the CEO of the Health Charities Coalition of Canada and has extensive experience in health policy and research. Her focus is on amplifying patient and caregiver voices in health care.  

Connie Côté is a full-time member of staff with Health Charities Coalition of Canada, which received operational grant funding from Innovative Medicines Canada.  

(Conflict of Interest Disclosure dated November 2024)

Dr. Jafna Cox (Nova Scotia)

Jafna is a professor at Dalhousie University and a staff cardiologist with a focus on health services research and cardiovascular disease prevention. He has served on numerous guideline committees and led large public-private research initiatives.  

Dr. Jafna Cox has participated in the CDA-AMC drug reviews for Kerendia (Bayer), Camzyos (MyoKardia), and ferric carboxymaltose (Ferinject) by Vifor (International) Inc.  

(Conflict of Interest Disclosure dated November 2024)

Prof. David Gardner (Nova Scotia)

David is a professor and Community Psychiatry Research Director at Dalhousie University. His research focuses on psychotropic medication use and pharmacist roles in mental health care. He has over 120 publications and numerous awards for teaching and mental health advocacy.  

Dr. David Gardner is the codeveloper of Sleepwell Research and Knowledge Mobilization, which is a not-for-profit initiative involving studying nonpharmacological interventions to safely and effectively end dependence on sleeping pills.  

(Conflict of Interest Disclosure dated November 2024)

Dr. Debbie Kelly (Newfoundland and Labrador)

Debbie is a professor at Memorial University’s School of Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacotherapy Specialist for Newfoundland’s HIV program. Her research focuses on medication safety, equity in health care, and pharmacy-based sexual health services.  

Dr. Deborah Kelly has received funding or honorariums from ViiV Healthcare, Gilead Sciences, and Moderna to participate in educational forums and working groups.  

(Conflict of Interest Disclosure dated November 2024)

Dr. Charlotte Moore Hepburn (Ontario)

Charlotte is a faculty pediatrician at SickKids and an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto. She leads Canada’s first Child Health Policy Accelerator, bridging evidence and policy to improve outcomes for children and youth.  

Dr. Charlotte Moore Hepburn is a board member for ZYUS Life Sciences, which develops cannabinoid-based therapies.  

(Conflict of Interest Disclosure dated December 2024)