Sara O'Connor

Public health and prevention programs including the Public Health Agency of Canada and efforts to support the development and procurement of innovative vaccines and therapies to address major public health issues such as pandemic preparedness and RSV Federally-funded public drug plans, including the Non-Insured Health Benefits program, Canadian Armed Forces Drug Benefit List and veteran programs, with respect to reimbursement for drug products for beneficiaries Canada's Drug Agency policies and processes as it relates to reimbursement recommendation decision-making process and framework Engage with Canadian government officials to discuss and provide input on Canada’s countermeasures and policies in response to foreign tariffs affecting the pharmaceutical industry, as well as free trade agreements as they relate to the biopharmaceutical industry Establish accountability with Health Canada, Canada’s Drug Agency and the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance, as well as Regulations, policies and programs related to the review and reimbursement processes Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations as it relates to the regulation of intellectual property for biopharmaceutical products Patent Act as it relates to reporting requirements and pricing guidelines, and the protection of intellectual property in biopharmaceutical products Policy measures to ensure security of drug supply in Canada and preserve Canada’s attractiveness for biopharmaceutical launches, including in response to foreign pricing regulations Policies and frameworks to accelerate access to innovative medicines post-Health Canada approval, including efforts to reduce time-to-reimbursement and streamline federal/provincial listing processes Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy (BLSS) as it relates to the biopharmaceutical industry Pharmaceutical pricing policy issues arising from the jurisdiction of the Patented Medicines Prices Review Board (PMPRB) Engagement with the Government regarding the Strategic Response Fund (SRF) (previously known as SIF) and investment in Canada Annual federal Budgets and Budget updates relating to the biopharmaceutical industry. Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Tax Incentive Program regarding eligible expenditures. Discussions on policies such as "patent box" and Investment Tax Credits.

Bill C-64 (Pharmacare Act - 2024) Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) Reform Most Favored Nation National Pharmacare Drugs for Rare Diseases

Policy measures to ensure security of drug supply in Canada and preserve Canada's attractiveness for biopharmaceutical launches, including in response to foreign pricing regulations Food and Drug regulations as it relates to data protection and the regulation and protection of biopharmaceutical products Canada's Drug Agency (CDA) policies as it relates to health economics assessment and recommendations made on new medicines. Policy measures to ensure security of drug supply in Canada and preserve Canada's attractiveness for biopharmaceutical launches, including in response to foreign pricing regulations. Free Trade agreements as they relate to the biopharmaceutical industry Policy and Programs Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada policies and programs to prevent and treat HIV and eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, as part of Canada's commitments under the Global Viral Hepatitis Strategy and therapeutic efforts against the fight for COVID-19. Patent Act Regulations as they relate to the regulation of intellectual property for therapeutic products, specifically the Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) Regulations with regard to reporting requirements, pricing, guidelines and dispute resolution. Innovation Agenda, particularly with respect to initiatives to support and attract investments in the life sciences sector Federal Government First Nations and Inuit Health Branch program with respect to health services. Federally-funded Public Drug Plans, with respect to reimbursement for drug products for federal plan beneficiaries.

The Food and Drugs Act, or the Export and Imports Permits Act (Export Control List) or any other legislative and regulatory means in order to protect the Canadian supply of drugs in light of importation legislation in the United States. Pharmaceutical intellectual property protection as it relates to international trade agreements Patent Act as it relates to reporting requirements and pricing guidelines, and the protection of intellectual property in biopharmaceutical products. Monitoring and engaging the Government and Parliamentarians on policies and programs related to Canada's biomanufacturing and life sciences sector strategy Food and Drugs Act updates, as it relate to the reform of clinical trial applications, and drug/device submission review and approval process. Scope includes new drug submissions/indications and post market submissions, reliance & recognition pathways, service standards, fees, biosimilars, clinical trial modernization. Federal Public Drug Plans, with respect to the reimbursement of therapeutic products for Federal plan beneficiaries Standing Committee on Finance (FINA) as it relates to pre-budget consultations. The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and the Innovation Agenda for the life sciences sector: policy or program initiatives to support life science research and development conducted in Canada and manufacturing capability, and as it relates to Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy. Canadian Environmental Protection Act and Regulations in respect of modern, science-based regulations to reflect rapidly changing new technologies. Income Tax Act as it relates to biopharmaceutical industry. Annual federal Budgets and Budget updates as it relates to the biopharmaceutical industry, and related updates and to Federal budgetary policy. House of Commons Standing Committee of Industry and Technology (INDU) as it relates to Artificial Intelligence and/or any other pertinent legislative proposal before the committee Patented Medicines Prices Review Board (PMPRB), as it relates to reporting requirements, pricing guidelines, and dispute resolution Economic Growth Initiatives as it relates to pharmaceutical, clinical trials investment, life sciences industry Clinical Trials environment in Canada: operational issues, investment, enrollment

Canada's Drug Agency policies as it relates to reimbursement recommendation decision-making process and framework Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy (BLSS) as it relates to the biopharmaceutical industry. Federal policies that relate to possible models of pharmacare Federal Buy Canadian Procurement Policy as it relates to government drug procurement practices and the implications for the biopharmaceutical industry Policies and frameworks to accelerate access to innovative medicines post-Health Canada approval, including efforts to reduce time-to-reimbursement and streamline federal/provincial listing processes Policy measures to ensure security of drug supply in Canada and preserve Canada's attractiveness for biopharmaceutical launches, including in response to foreign pricing regulations National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases World Trade Organization (WTO) issues concerning the agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) with respect to the protection of data, Access to Medicines, and TRIPs "flexibility" World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) issues concerning the biopharmaceutical industry World Health Organization (WHO) issues concerning the biopharmaceutical industry Scientific Research and Educational Design (SR&ED) Tax Credit in respect of updating the system and increasing the expenditure limit for refundable credits Pharmaceutical pricing policy issues arising from the jurisdiction of the Patented Medicines Prices Review Board (PMPRB) Patented Medicines Regulations as it relates to the regulation and protection of biopharmaceutical products Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations with respect to ensuring that patent rights are respected and are internationally competitive Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations as it relates to the regulation of intellectual property for biopharmaceutical products Patent Act as it relates to reporting requirements and pricing guidelines, and the protection of intellectual property in biopharmaceutical products Income Tax Act as it relates to biopharmaceutical products Health Canada's Regulatory Roadmap for Health Products and Food as it relates to the biopharmaceutical industry Free trade agreements as they relate to the biopharmaceutical industry Food and Drugs Act and Regulations and the Import and Export Permits Act with respect to cross-border trade as it relates to the export of Canadian biopharmaceuticals Food and Drug Regulations as it relates to data protection and the regulation and protection of biopharmaceutical products Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Clinical Research Initiative as it relates to public/private research and development partnerships Annual federal Budgets and Budget updates as it relates to the biopharmaceutical industry

Policy measures to ensure security of drug supply in Canada and preserve Canada’s attractiveness for biopharmaceutical launches, including in response to foreign pricing regulations. Policies and frameworks to accelerate access to innovative medicines post-Health Canada approval, including efforts to reduce time to reimbursement and streamline federal/provincial listing processes. Discussion focused on sharing perspectives on priorities and resourcing. In particular, a shared observation of an increase in submission reviews exceeding established timeframes and increasing challenges with securing pre-filing meetings were discussed Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) with respect to the protection of data, Access to Medicines, and TRIPs "flexibility". Merck is seeking to ensure Canada's continued compliance with its obligations under TRIPs relevant to the biopharmaceutical industry within all domestic legislation in addition to ongoing and future trade negotiations. Relevant domestic legislation includes the Food and Drugs Act, the Patent Act, and related regulations and guidance documents. Beyond TRIPs, Merck is seeking enhancements to increase the stability and global competitiveness of Canada’s intellectual Property legislation, regulations and policies relevant to the biopharmaceutical industry. Such enhancements may result from domestic policy in addition to bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations (e.g. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). World Health Organization issues concerning pharmaceuticals as it relates to Counterfeits, Access to Medicines, and the Intergovernment Working Group (IGWG). US - Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) as it relates to the regulation of biopharmaceutical products. The government's Science and Technology strategy as it relates to the biopharmaceutical industry. Subsequent Entry Biologics (SEBs) as it relates to Regulations, Policies, or Guidelines being developed by Health Canada, specifically the Draft Guidance Document on SEBs, the Notices of Changes to Health Canada's Guidance Documents on Data Protection and Patented Medicines Regulations (Notice of Compliance) Regulations. Smart Regulations as it relates to the biopharmaceutical industry. Scientific Research and Educational Design (SR&ED) Tax Credit in respect of updating the system and increasing the expenditure limit for refundable credits. Policies and programs as it relates to vaccine approval, procurement and public awareness of immunization. Plan design and reimbursement policies for drug plans administered by Federal Government including NIHB and Corrections Services. Pharmaceutical pricing policy issues arising from the jurisdiction of the Patended Medicines Prices Review Board (PMPRB) and R&D reporting. Patented Medicines Regulations as it relates to the regulation and protection of biopharmaceutical products. Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations with respect to ensuring that patent rights are respected and are internationally competitive. Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations as it relates to the regulation of intellectual property for biopharmaceutical products. Patent Act as it relates to reporting requirements and pricing guidelines, and the protection of intellectual property in biopharmaceutical products. Partnership opportunities as it relates to Canada's policy and programs to improve health in the developing world, such as Maternal and Child Health. New Substances Notification Regulations as it relates to the biopharmaceutical industry. National Pharmaceutical Strategy as it relates to the federal government's involvement in federal/provincial access to medicines framework. Income Tax Act as it relates to biopharmaceutical products. Health Canada's Legislative and Regulatory Modernization (LRM) as it relates to the review, approval, transparency and compliance activities of biopharm