The National Drug Scheduling Advisory Committee (NDSAC) is a committee of the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) which serves to advise NAPRA on matters relating to the National Drug Schedules (NDS) program. The primary function of the eight-member committee is to review and analyze submissions regarding scheduling placements for non-prescription drugs and to make recommendations for scheduling.

NDSAC’s members have combined knowledge and experience in various disciplines such as pharmacotherapy, drug utilization, drug interactions, toxicology, pharmacy practice, medical practice, academic research, the drug industry, and pharmaceutical regulatory affairs at federal/ provincial/ territorial levels. This knowledge and experience must be relevant to the Canadian public and the Canadian health care system.

NAPRA will have two (2) vacancies on the NDSAC arising in 2021 and is inviting nominations for the following positions:

• An academic expert in drug use, with teaching and/or research experience preferably in the area of nonprescription pharmacotherapy, self-care or minor ailments prescribing
• An individual with expertise in regulatory affairs in the pharmaceutical industry who is not currently in the employ of a pharmaceutical company.

In addition, candidates for appointment to the 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.

Individuals who meet the above criteria and are interested in serving on the NDSAC should submit their résumé, along with a letter of recommendation from an individual or body with knowledge of the candidate’s background and expertise that does not present a real or perceived conflict of interest related to the NDS program (e.g. pharmacy regulatory authority, medical regulatory authority, university faculty, medical associations).

NAPRA’s website has extensive information about the NDSAC and the drug scheduling process. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Marshall, Manager Professional and Regulatory Affairs, by e-mail at ndsac@napra.ca or by phone at 613-569-9658 ext. 230.

Please forward résumés and letters of recommendation to the attention of Sarah Marshall (ndsac@napra.ca) no later than March 26, 2021.