CADTH Board Appoints Members to its New Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service Expert Review Committee (CERC)
February 28, 2007
OTTAWA - The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health’s (CADTH) Board of Directors today announced the appointment of the first Members to its newly established Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service (COMPUS) Expert Review Committee (CERC).
CERC is an expert advisory body that, through CADTH, makes recommendations related to the identification, evaluation, and promotion of optimal drug prescribing and use in Canada. The approach is evidence-based and the advice will reflect current medical and scientific knowledge, as well as clinical practice in the Canadian health care system.
Dr. Jill Sanders, President and Chief Executive Officer of CADTH, lauded the new CERC members, noting their expertise and breadth of experience in the Canadian health care community. “We are very pleased to have such an impressive and dedicated group accept their appointments to CERC. Together, they provide an excellent foundation for the work we do within the COMPUS program.
“CERC helps COMPUS identify the gaps between the evidence and what may occur when prescribing and using drugs. This valuable information helps health care providers, policy makers and consumers choose the most optimal drug therapy based on the best available evidence.”
Dr. Lisa Dolovich, Associate Professor at McMaster University, Department of Family Medicine, was appointed CERC Chair. In addition to various other heath care positions, Dr. Dolovich is highly regarded for her work as a scientist with the Centre for Evaluation of Medicines from McMaster University, where she leads a multidisciplinary research group in promoting the best use of drug and therapeutic interventions in the delivery of health care through research and educational activities.
“I am pleased to be part of this pan-Canadian effort to improve the prescribing and use of drugs. The CERC members include dedicated individuals from across the country who have expertise in the prescribing and use of drugs, as well as members who represent the important public perspective. Our committee’s work will lead to improved health outcomes through the optimal use of drugs,” says Dr. Dolovich.
CERC comprises eight core members for all topics under consideration and three or four topic-specific specialist experts.
Two of these members represent the broader public interest, serving in the capacity as members of the general public − not as representatives of any specific interest group or organization. “This is particularly beneficial to CADTH, not only for purposes of transparency, but to ensure that our work reflects the needs and values of Canadians,” says Dr. Sanders. These members have full CERC membership with similar responsibilities and expectations, and are subject to the same terms and conditions as other committee representatives.
Core CERC members:
- Dr. Lisa Dolovich, Chair of CERC; Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University
- Dr. Michael Evans, Vice-Chair of CERC; Family Physician, Toronto Western Hospital
- Dr. Michael Allen; Director, Special Projects and Associate Professor, Dalhousie University’s Continuing Medical Education program
- Dr. Adil Virani; Regional Pharmacy Manager, Community, Residential and Health Promotion, Fraser Health Authority
- Dr. Marilyn Caughlin; Family Practitioner, Saskatchewan
- Dr. Scott Klarenbach; Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Alberta
- Mr. Panos Petrides (public member); Founder and Principal, Toronto-based private consulting company engaged in public policy and public affairs
- Ms. Cathy MacNutt (public member); Project Manager in Geriatric Medicine Research, Nova Scotia
Specialist Expert Members:
- Dr. Ann Colbourne; Associate Professor of Medicine, Memorial University, Faculty of Medicine
- Dr. Marshall Dahl; Consultant endocrinologist, Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Centre, Burnaby Hospital
- Dr. Heather Dean; Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health and Associate Dean (academic) of Medicine, University of Manitoba
- Dr. Ehud Ur; Professor of Medicine, Dalhousie University and Head of the Division of Endocrinology, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, Halifax
The Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH) is a national body that provides credible, impartial advice and evidence-based information about the effectiveness and efficiency of drugs and other health technologies to Canadian health care decision makers. CADTH is governed by a 13-member jurisdictional Board of Directors, which reports to the Conference of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Deputy Ministers of Health.
The Canadian Optimal Medication Prescribing and Utilization Service (COMPUS) is a collaborative, national service funded by Health Canada. As a directorate of CADTH, COMPUS identifies and promotes evidence-based optimal drug prescribing and use among health care providers and consumers.
For more information on CADTH or CERC, contact:
Janet Crain, Senior Advisor, Communications, COMPUS
Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health
Tel: (613) 226-2553 E-mail: janetc@cadth.ca