Drugs & Health Products

Veterinary Drugs Directorate
Holland Cross Complex
Ground floor, Suite 14
11 Holland Avenue
Address Locator: 3000A
Ottawa, ON K1A OK9

October 31, 2005

Call for Nominations to the Advisory Committee on Minor Uses / Minor Species

Dear Stakeholder:

As part of Health Canada's Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD) actions to address the lack of approved drugs in minor uses / minor species (MUMS), particularly in food-producing animals, VDD is seeking nominations for members to participate in a new Advisory Committee on Minor Uses / Minor Species. This Committee will provide on-going and timely advice to VDD on MUMS issues.

There is currently no consensus on a definition for MUMS, and as one of our first agenda items, we will need to consult with the Committee on a definition. Until a definition is finalized, VDD is using the following working definition:

• Minor species: Any animal species other than cattle, swine, chickens, turkeys, horses (as a non-food animal), dogs and cats. Minor species are generally pets and food-producing animals that are non-traditional.
• Minor uses: Small scale (limited or infrequent) use of drugs on animals. The drug can be used on a major species (e.g., an anesthetic used to conduct surgery in swine) or a minor species where there are few available approved drugs on the market.

In May 2005, VDD's Stakeholder Committee formed a working group to address the MUMS issue. This working group currently consists of VDD Stakeholder Committee members representing industry, producers and veterinary sectors with expertise and an interest in minor uses or minor species. It has been decided that the role/membership of the working group should be expanded and formalized as a VDD Advisory Committee on MUMS.

Additional members are required from, but not be limited to, individuals in the desired areas of expertise as outlined below. In addition, nominees should have a broader expertise or experience in one or more of the disciplines listed below and who could contribute to the specifics of minor uses / minor species.

• Veterinarians (MUMS specialists)
• Academia
• Federal/Provincial/Territorial / Food Safety Committee
• Consumer groups

Members will be selected on the basis of the following criteria.

1. Potential members must be able to function effectively within a group.
2. Preference will be given to members with broader expertise or experience.
3. Members must not use the position for their private gain or for that of other persons or organizations.
4. Each selected member must successfully complete an enhanced security clearance and conflict of interest statements. The Policy Guide for the Management of Advisory Committees requires members to make a thorough disclosure of real, potential, or perceived situations of conflict of interest prior to and during their term of service. Such a conflict may limit the member's role in a specific discussion or terminate the membership.
5. VDD recognizes the occasional need for other interested organizations or experts and hence other groups/experts may be invited as deemed appropriate by the committee.

The Committee will consist of members representing producer associations, the feed industry, academia, professional associations, federal and provincial government and one member representing the public. The lay member is not expected to have professional training in the area of the Committee's expertise, but should be knowledgeable of current and emerging issues relating to public health. The goal is to have an Advisory Committee that is representative of the wide range of VDD stakeholder interests, from regions across Canada, includes both official languages groups and reflects the required expertise and background. The Advisory Committee will be supported by other federal departments as and when needed.

Final selection of members will be made by VDD. Members will be appointed to serve initial terms of two or three years.

Please submit your nomination(s) by e-mail, fax or correspondence by November 18, 2005, including in your reply the names, contact information and biographies of nominees for the Advisory Committee to:

Mr. Marc M. Plante
Public Involvement Officer
Veterinary Drugs Directorate
Health Canada
14-11 Holland Avenue, P.L. 3000A
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9
Fax: (613) 957-3861
Electronic mail: marc_m_plante@hc-sc.gc.ca

Please provide a brief summary describing how nominees meet the selection criteria described above and include a curriculum vitae.

I appreciate your consideration and contribution to this important step in addressing this issue.

Yours sincerely,

Siddika Mithani,
Director General