Scott Lohnes
Senior Advisor, Health Canada (HC)·7 communications in the past year
Lobbied by
AbbVie
1Communications regarding opportunities to speed patient access to live-saving medicines on publicly-funded drug formularies in Canada by reducing red tape. Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED)'s Health Emergency Readiness program, insofar as it pertains to growth and development of the life sciences industry in Canada. Communication regarding free trade agreements as they relate to the biopharmaceutical industry. The pan Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) with respect to public formulary listing of new medicines, insofar as the federal government is a participating jurisdiction and holds a seat on the Board of Directors. Public Health Agency of Canada, regarding the federal response to the hepatitis C virus. Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) Guidelines with regard to prices charged by Rights Holders for patented medicines sold in Canada. Federal Government Non Insured Health Benefits program with respect to reimbursement of a prescription medicine and changes in type of reimbursement Engagement with Health Canadas Regulatory Operations & Enforcement branch regarding supply chain resilience & integrity; mitigating and alleviating drug shortages. Communications with Heath Canada regarding modernization of the medical devices regulatory framework. Communications with Health Canada regarding the evolution of the regulatory framework to address advanced therapeutic products. Communications with Health Canada regarding the application of its nitrosamine guidelines. Communications with Health Canada regarding modernization of clinical trials regulations, including diversity and inclusivity of clinical trials. Communications with Health Canada regarding guidelines for pediatric action plans. Communications regarding the value assessment of new medicines by Canada's Drug Agency (CDA) and the design of proposed new work streams, insofar as the federal government is a funder and holds a seat on the Board of Directors. Communications regarding the design and implementation of the federal Drugs for Rare Diseases strategy. Communications regarding national pharmacare legislation, regulations, policies or programs. Communications regarding intellectual property protection of prescription drugs, including the Patent Act, the Patented Medicines Regulations, the Patented Medicine Notice of Compliance (PMNOC) Regulations, the Patent Term Adjustment regime and Health Canadas Data Protection regime. Communications regarding Health Canada's Regulatory Innovation Agenda regarding proposed regulatory amendments and guidelines to enable agile licensing of drugs and medical devices. Communications regarding access to and approval of medicines addressing the growing public health threat of antimicrobial resistance.
AstraZeneca Canada
1Public 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 Canadas 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, Canadas 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 Canadas 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.
Bristol Myers Squibb Canada
1Bill C-64 (Pharmacare Act - 2024) Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) Reform Most Favored Nation National Pharmacare Drugs for Rare Diseases
Gilead Sciences Canada
1Policy 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.
Innovative Medicines Canada
1Canada'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
Merck Canada
1Policy measures to ensure security of drug supply in Canada and preserve Canadas 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 Canadas 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
Pfizer Canada ULC
1Pharmaceutical pricing policy issues arising from the jurisdiction of the Patented Medicines Prices Review Board (PMPRB). Free trade agreements as they relate 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. Advocacy related to the new Buy Canada policy and the implications of including goods and services related to healthcare delivery, medical treatment, in particular drugs, vaccines and biologicals. Advocacy as it relates to the Government of Canada potential responses to the US Administration Most Favored Nation drug pricing policy Monitoring and engaging on the Governments national strategy for rare diseases; the Canadian Drug Agency; and the implementation of C64, An Act to Implement pharmacare. Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) amendments to the Patented Medicines Regulations and the related new guidelines. Advocacy on the Regulations Amending the Patent Rules and Certain Regulations Made Under the Patent Act which were published for consultation in Canada Gazette Part I (CGI) on May 18, 2024.1 Share concerns with Canadas implementation of a patent term adjustment (PTA) system that is not compliant with its trade obligations, as it does not provide a meaningful remedy to patentees who are impacted by unreasonable patent office delays. Advocacy related to the federal government consultation on the review of the Canada US Mexico Trade Agreement Advocacy on the role of the Health Emergency Readiness Canada (HERC) Agency Advocacy with respect to Canada's proposed Countermeasures in Response to United States Tariffs on Canadian goods 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. Regulations, policies and programs related to the reimbursement recommendations decision-making process and framework done by the Canadian Drug Agency as well as the review times and processes conducted by Health Canada for the purpose of obtaining a notice of compliance. Monitoring and engaging the Government and Parliamentarians on policies and programs related to Canada's life sciences & biomanufacturing strategy Health Canadas policies, program and guidelines related to the management, prevention, mitigation and notification of drug shortages Federal Public Drug Plans, with respect to the reimbursement of therapeutic products for Federal plan beneficiaries Engage the Federal Government on Health Canadas Regulatory Innovation Agenda (Agile Licensing Modernization) to discuss opportunities for further harmonization; flexibility and predictability in the new regulatory framework being develop and its linkage to pillar 5 of the Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy. Discussions on the procurement of a COVID19 vaccine and therapy Discussions around the World Trade Organization consideration of a TRIPS Patent Waiver and the World Health Organization pandemic treaty proposal Consider amendments to 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 potential importation legislation in the United States. Advocacy to maintain and increase funding for the National Immunization Strategy and discussions on vaccine procurement.