2007 Membership Recruitment - Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulation

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Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate
200 Tunney's Pasture Driveway
Address Locator # 0702A
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9

December 4, 2007

07-128015-203

To Associations:

Dear Sir or Madam:

Health Canada is currently seeking nominations from members of your association to participate as members on the Expert Advisory Committee on Blood Regulation (EAC-BR). The EAC-BR, initiated in 1995, provides timely scientific, technical and medical advice to the Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate (BGTD) of Health Canada on our federal responsibilities within the national blood system related to blood, blood components, blood products, and associated issues.

November 2007 marked the 10-year anniversary of the report of the Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System (Krever Report) and in keeping with its recommendations, Health Canada continues to consult this important Expert Advisory Committee in its assessment and management of risk in the utilization of blood and blood products in Canada. The significance of your response is emphasized.

At this time, we are specifically looking for expertise in the following areas:

• haematology
• general practice/primary care management related to patient population affected by blood borne diseases (for example, hepatitis or HIV)
• transfusion medicine
• infectious diseases, including pediatric infectious diseases
• epidemiology
• blood utilization

Members are selected based on the required expertise, the individual's breadth of experience and familiarity with committee work. Consideration is also given to the candidate's ability to balance scientific rigour with practical considerations, regulatory requirements and international perspectives. Health Canada strives to maintain a balance of gender, regional and linguistic representation in its selection.

Following a review of all nominations by BGTD and the Chair of the EAC-BR Committee, members will be appointed as volunteers by the Director General of the Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate (BGTD). The appointed members will have to undergo government security clearance and provide a declaration of conflict of interest. All members are indemnified by Health Canada while working within the mandate of the committee. All travel and accommodation expenses for EAC-BR meetings will be compensated according to Treasury Board policies. As per the Terms of Reference for the Committee, the duration of the term is four (4) years. The Terms of Reference have been attached for your information.

Responses should include the name, phone number and C.V. of nominees who satisfy the selection criteria for expert membership on the EAC-BR. Please forward any nominations by December 21, 2007 to:

Dorothy Corbett
EAC Secretariat
Office of Coordination & Risk Management
Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate
Health Canada
200 Tunney's Pasture Driveway, AL: 0702A
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0K9

Please ensure that the nominee is advised and is willing to have their name put forward as a potential candidate for this Committee.

I appreciate your consideration and contribution to this important consultative process.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Elwyn Griffiths
A/Director General
Biologics and Genetic Therapies Directorate