Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, announced the appointment of the new Chairperson to the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB).
Following a merit-based selection process, Thomas J. Digby is appointed for a term of five years. Mr. Digby is a lawyer with expertise in intellectual property and has an extensive educational background in the Biological Sciences. He has over 25 years of experience working with the pharmaceutical sector and is highly knowledgeable regarding patented medicines.
The PMPRB is an independent quasi-judicial body established by Parliament in 1987 under the Patent Act. As an arm's-length organization of the government, the PMPRB reviews the prices patentees charge for patented drug products in the Canadian market. As part of their mandate, the PMPRB can work with patentees to achieve voluntary price reductions, or the Board can hold public hearings to determine whether a price is excessive, and if so, order price reductions or the offset of excess revenues.
The Government of Canada is committed to appointing highly qualified candidates to best serve the interests of Canadians and is committed to open, transparent and merit-based processes for selecting Governor in Council appointees. Appointees play a fundamental role in Canadian democracy as they serve on commissions, boards, Crown corporations, agencies and tribunals across the country.
