Board Members
The Board consists of not more than five members who serve on a part-time basis, appointed by the Governor-in-Council, including a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson. The Chairperson is designated under the Patent Act as the Chief Executive Officer of the PMPRB with the authority and responsibility to supervise and direct its work.
Roles and Responsibilities of Board Members
Chairperson
Position vacant
Vice-Chairperson
Mitchell Levine, BSc (McGill), MSc (McMaster), MD (Calgary), FRCPC, FISPE
Dr. Mitchell Levine was appointed Member and Vice-Chairperson of the Board on March 3, 2011.
Dr. Levine is a professor in the departments of Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. He is also director of the Centre for Evaluation of Medicines at St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton.
Dr. Levine received his medical degree from the University of Calgary in 1979, which was followed by postgraduate training in Internal Medicine (FRCPC) and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Toronto (1981–1987). He received an MSc degree in Clinical Epidemiology from McMaster University in 1988.
Until his recent appointment to the Board, Dr. Levine was a member of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board's Human Drug Advisory Panel. He acts, on an ad hoc basis, as a clinical pharmacology consultant to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. In addition, he is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology and is an Associate Editor of the ACP Journal Club: Evidence-Based Medicine.
Members
Normand Tremblay, ASC, MSc, Adm.A., CMC
Normand Tremblay was appointed Member of the Board on May 31, 2012.
Mr. Tremblay is President and Chief Executive Officer of an innovative company (diaMentis inc.) which is currently developing a mental health diagnostic tool, and teaches at the Université du Québec in the area of management, project management and innovation. He brings to the Board a vast experience and expertise in strategic and operational planning and organizational development. For over 20 years, Mr. Tremblay has been active in various areas of the business field, both nationally and internationally. He has also sat on investment committees and a number of administrative boards, including the National Research Council of Canada (NRCS) from 2007 to 2010. Mr. Tremblay holds a master’s degree in project management (MSc) with a specialization in best practices in product development from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières as well as a certificate in business governance from Laval University (2009), and is a Certified Management Consultant. He is also a member of the Order of Certified Administrators of Québec.
Carolyn Kobernick
Carolyn Kobernick is a lawyer and former career public servant. Prior to her retirement in 2013, Ms. Kobernick had been Assistant Deputy Minister of Public Law for the Department of Justice since 2006. As principal counsel to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Ms. Kobernick was instrumental in the development and delivery of policy for the Public Law sector. In addition to identifying key strategic, legal and operational matters, she tackled cross-cutting national issues as the liaison between the Department of Justice and other government organizations.
Ms. Kobernick joined the Department of Justice in 1980 where she practiced litigation and tax law at the Toronto Regional office. In 1991 she was appointed Senior General Counsel, Deputy Head, Business and Regulatory Law Portfolio, after working for over a decade in the legal services unit of the Correctional Service of Canada. In her role as Senior General Counsel, Ms. Kobernick was involved in complex policy and operational issues affecting the Government of Canada, including the Alaska Pipeline and Mackenzie Valley Pipeline files and the Sponsorship file.
During her career with the public service, Ms. Kobernick actively participated in many high-profile initiatives. She was Chair of the National Legal Advisory Committee and Departmental Champion for Aboriginal People and Gender Equity. She also served as the Senior Department of Justice official at the Domestic Affairs Cabinet Committee, and was appointed Senior Legal Advisor to the Government of Canada for the 2004 Gomery Inquiry.
Ms. Kobernick holds a B.C.L. and L.L.B. from McGill University and is a member of the bar of Ontario. In 2012 she obtained a Certificate in Adjudication for Administrative Agencies Boards and Tribunals from the Osgoode Hall Law School and The Society of Adjudicators and Regulators.
Directorates
Regulatory Affairs and Outreach
The Regulatory Affairs and Outreach Branch reviews the prices of patented drug products sold in Canada to ensure that they are not excessive; encourages patentees to comply voluntarily with the Board's Guidelines; implements related compliance policies; and investigates complaints into the prices of patented medicines. This Branch also informs and educates patentees on the Board's Guidelines and filing requirements.
Policy and Economic Analysis
The Policy and Economic Analysis Branch develops policy advice and recommendations on possible changes to the Board's Guidelines and on other policy issues, as required; conducts research and economic analysis on pharmaceutical trends and prepares reports; and conducts studies both in support of compliance and enforcement and as directed by the Minister of Health.
Corporate Services
The Corporate Services Branch provides advice and services in relation to human resources management, facilities, health, safety and security, information technology and information management. It is also responsible for strategic and financial planning and reporting, audit and evaluation, and liaison with federal central agencies on these topics.
Board Secretariat, Communications and Strategic Planning
The Board Secretariat, Communications and Strategic Planning group develops and manages the PMPRB's communications, media relations and public enquiries; manages the Board's meeting and hearing processes, including the official record of proceedings; and coordinates activities pursuant to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.
General Counsel
The General Counsel advises the PMPRB on legal matters and leads the prosecution team in proceedings before the Board.