Call Out for the Establishment of an Expert Advisory Committee for Veterinary Natural Health Products

---

Veterinary Drugs Directorate
Holland Cross Complex
14 - 11 Holland Avenue
Address Locator: 3000A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

Direction des médicaments vétérinaires
Complexe Holland Cross
14 - 11, avenue Holland
Indice de l'adresse: 3000A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

February 8, 2008

To whom it may concern:

Health Canada's, Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD), Health Products and Food Branch (HPFB) is establishing an Expert Advisory Committee on Veterinary Natural Health Products (EAC-vNHP). The mandate of the EAC-vNHP will be to provide on-going external expert broad scientific advice on the safety, quality, efficacy, claims, use, and regulation of vNHPs. This advice will also be used to assist in the development and implementation of a new regulatory framework for vNHPs. The EAC-vNHP, Terms of Reference is attached for your consideration.

Committee members will be selected based on the required expertise, experience and professional recognition relevant to the advisory body mandate and on their demonstrated experience working in a committee environment. Membership of the EAC-vNHP should include, but is not limited to, the following areas of expertise: vNHPs, veterinary medicine, relevant medical sciences, and practice of healthcare. The committee should also represent a cross section of the following groups: health professionals, consumers, industry, and research/academia sectors.

In appointing advisory body members, the HPFB is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. For example, it may select members from specific population groups or geographic locations, when appropriate. Committee members are to serve as individuals on the basis of their expertise, knowledge and experience, rather than a representative of their association or affiliated group. Following a review of all nominations by a Health Canada selection committee, committee members will be appointed by the Assistant Deputy Minister of the HPFB.

Eligible candidates must undergo government security clearance, complete an Affiliations and Interests Declaration Form for Advisory Body Members, and sign a confidentiality agreement. As a condition of their appointment, advisory committee members are required to publicly disclose a summary of their affiliations and interest. For those individuals who are part of a professional association, they are required to be in good standing.

Members will be appointed for two or three year terms. Members will serve on the Committee on a volunteer basis and they are entitled to reimbursement of travel, accommodation, meal and incidental expenses incurred in relation to their work on this Committee. Training will be provided to Members so they can learn about the HPFB's processes and regulations and understand their role and responsibilities.

The application for the nomination for members to the EAC-vNHP should be completed as per the attached guidelines and submitted prior to April 25, 2008, by email: vNHP-PSNv_consultations@hc-sc.gc.ca, fax: 613-957-3861, mail, or priority courier to:

vNHP Team, Clinical Evaluation Division
Veterinary Drugs Directorate
Health Canada
Address Locator, 3000A, Holland Cross
11 Holland Avenue, Suite 14, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9

Candidates selected for appointment will receive a confirmation letter and an information package containing documents regarding security screening, declaration of confidentiality agreement, indemnification and interests and affiliations. Candidates not selected for appointment will also be advised.

Please forward information about this nomination process to your membership, affiliated networks or other associations and individuals you feel may be interested.

I appreciate your consideration and contribution to this important initiative.

Yours sincerely,

D. Ian Alexander, DVM, PhD
A/Director General
Veterinary Drugs Directorate

cc: Susan Gardner-Barclay
Director General s
Office of Consumer and Public Involvement

Attachments:
Terms of Reference
Guidelines for Submitting a Nominee & Nomination Form