DRAFT

Date: 2005-08-08

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Contact Policy

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Therapeutic Products Directorate
"B"
6^th Floor, 1600 Scott Street
Address Locator #3106B
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9

05-116720-766

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing to seek nominations from your organization for members to participate in Health Canada's Scientific Advisory Committee on Respiratory & Allergy Therapies (SAC-RAT). The SAC-RAT will provide timely scientific, technical and medical advice to the Therapeutic Products Directorate (TPD) on the evaluation of safety and efficacy of drugs used for the treatment of respiratory and allergy disorders as well as related policy issues. The Committee will also advise on post-marketing issues related to drugs in these therapeutic areas. I am attaching the Committee's draft Terms of Reference for your consideration.

We are specifically looking for expertise in the areas of respirology, paediatric respirology, epidemiology, biostatistics, pharmacology, toxicology, critical care expertise, allergies, bioavailability and bioequivalence, and patient interest groups. Those whose specialties cross over into respiratory medicine would be of great value to the committee.

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.

Committee members will be appointed by the Deputy Minister of Health following a review of all nominations by a Health Canada selection committee. The appointed members will have to undergo government security clearance and provide a declaration of conflict of interest. All travel and accommodation expenses will be compensated according to Treasury Board policies. Members must participate as volunteers in order to be eligible for indemnification under Treasury Board's Volunteer Policy.

Health Canada's Policy Guide for the Management of Advisory Committees is used as the guiding document for all advisory bodies. A copy is attached for your information.

Please provide by September 16, 2005, the names, telephone numbers and curriculum vitae of nominees who satisfy the selection criteria outlined above to:

Marilyn Davis
Office of Science, Policy Bureau
Therapeutic Products Directorate
Health Canada
1600 Scott Street, Ottawa, ON, K1A 1B6
Address Locator 3102C3
Tel: (613) 957-6260
Fax: (613) 941-5035
Email: marilyn_davis@hc-sc.gc.ca

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,

Original Signed by

Omer Boudreau
Director General