Member, Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) is an independent quasi-judicial body established by Parliament in 1987 under the Patent Act which increased patent protection for pharmaceutical products and introduced, for the first time in Canada, direct price regulation of patented drugs. The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board represents a strategic component of the federal government’s policy to balance consumer protection and affordable health care with the trade and industrial development objectives (research and development, investment) of pharmaceutical patent legislation. The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board reports annually to Parliament via the Minister of Health, and may be asked to inquire into any matter that the Minister refers to the board and shall report to the Minister in accordance with the terms of reference established by the Minister.

The Members of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board are responsible collectively for the implementation of the applicable provisions of the Patent Act. Together, they establish the guidelines, rules, by-laws and other policies of the Board as provided by the Act (section 96) and consult as necessary with stakeholders including ministers of health and representatives of consumer groups, the pharmaceutical industry and others.

Members are appointed by the Chairperson to hearing panels for purposes of hearings under section 83 of the Act, to hear evidence, prepare findings and recommendations and participate in forming the decisions of the Board with respect to excessive prices for patented medicines. Members also issue various Board orders under sections 81, 82, 83 and 88 of the Act.

Diversity and Official Languages

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing applicants. You are therefore encouraged to include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand your second official language. Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of a visible minority group.

To be considered, please ensure that the information provided in your curriculum vitae and cover letter clearly demonstrate how you meet the following requirements:

Education and Experience

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study or a combination of equivalent education, job-related training and/or experience in one or more relevant disciplines such as medicine, business or public administration, pharmacy or pharmacology, health policy, law or economics;
  


• Experience in the interpretation and application of legislation, government policies and directives in a quasi-judicial environment;
  


• Experience in the operation and conduct of a quasi-judicial tribunal, agency or equivalent;
  


• Experience and familiarity with the consumer protection role of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board;
  


• Experience and thorough understanding of the affordability challenges facing public and private drug plan and drug benefit managers and the role of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board related to these challenges; and
  


• Experience and knowledge of public drug plans and/or private drug benefit plans and working knowledge of the roles of the federal therapeutic products regulator (Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada; Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health’s Common Drug review/Canadian Oncology Drug Review, the Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance).
  

If you move on to the next stage of the selection process, the following criteria will be assessed:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the mandate and role of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board and the Patent Act as it applies to the pricing of patented medicines;
  


• Knowledge of the theories, practices and procedures related to administrative justice, especially related to quasi-judicial bodies;
  


• Knowledge of the operations of the federal government, including those related to sound management principles, accountability and transparency;
  


• Knowledge of the patented drug industry and the price trends of patented medicines;
  


• Ability to develop effective working relationships with departmental officials and stakeholders while maintaining the degree of independence required of a quasi-judicial entity;
  


• Ability to provide intellectual and strategic leadership to the Board in order to define the vision, objectives and strategies of the organization;
  


• Ability to analyze all aspects of a case, interpret and apply the relevant criteria with a view to making lawful, fair and equitable decisions; and
  


• Superior communication skills (written and oral) with the ability in dealing with various stakeholders.
  

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

If you move on the the next stage of the selection process, we will contact your references to confirm that you meet the above selection criteria and that you possess the following Personal Attributes:

• Fair and impartial
  


• Sound judgement and integrity
  


• High ethical standards
  


• Superior interpersonal skills
  


• Tact and discretion
  

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• Appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout their appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website under Forms and reference material.

• All appointees are subject to the Conflicts of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics within 60 days of appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's website.

• Appointees must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviours in the workplace that afford respect, equality and dignity, to everyone they interact with at work at all times. The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector outlines the values and expected behaviours for public servants, including valuing diversity and creating workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Governor in Council appointees are expected to uphold and respect these values and principles in a positive and active manner.
  


• If you are appointed, you must be willing to attend approximately four (4) Board meetings per year and meet monthly with Patented Medicine Prices Review Board’s Executive Committee;
  


• If you are appointed, you must be willing to travel to Ottawa on a regular basis and occasionally to other locations within Canada.
  

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates for this positions. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment. A roster of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

How to Apply

Candidates must apply online by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 28, 2018, via the Governor in Council Appointments website. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Deputy Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application.

Instructions on how to apply for an appointment opportunity can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.