Semhar Zerat
Director, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)·1 communications in the past year
Lobbied by
Action Hepatitis Canada
1Viral hepatitis, with respect to federal screening guidelines, data collection, harm reduction funding and policy, testing technology, and prevention, testing, and treatment for people under federal jurisdiction.
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.
GlaxoSmithKline
1Engagement with the Government regarding the Life Science Fund seeking partnership and funding to support completion of Phase I and Phase II clinical research program associated to AMR (antimicrobial resistance) Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) - Seek funding and support for pilot projects making anti-infective medications available to equity seeking populations, helping to combat AMR. Also discuss any applicable conditions regarding this funding. Programs and policy to support Canadian biomanufacturing and access to medicines and vaccines for Canadians. National Immunization Strategy and policies and programs that impact public access to vaccines and disease prevention in Canada. Patented Medicines Review Board (PMPRB), certified under the Patent Act and whose guidelines seek to ensure a balance between the prices set by manufacturers for patented medicines sold in Canada and the maintenance of an attractive environment for pharmaceutical research and development. Engagement with federal officials regarding the Biomanufacturing & Life Sciences Strategy and policies and programming related to biomanufacturing in Canada Access to medicines - government policies, processes, legislation, and/or regulation with potential impact on access to medicines in Canada. Trade-related matters, including policies and tariffs impacting medicines and vaccines. Policies and programs related to the health of new immigrants to Canada. Policies, programs, and funding related to Canada's Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBI) Action Plan 2024-2030. Engagement with federal officials regarding Health Emergency Readiness Canada. The National Pharmaceutical Strategy (NPS) as agreed by First Ministers in 2004. Advocacy for ways to increase access to medicines and vaccines for Canadian patients. The Common Drug Review (CDR) process for reviewing new drugs and providing listing recommendations to publicly funded drug benefit plans in Canada. Ensuring the access needs of Canadian patients are met by advocating on activities undertaken in the context of the CDR. Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy: Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage. Advocacy for measures which will allow for commercialization in health care to occur and for Canada to remain competitive internationally on Intellectual Property and other fronts. Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) Integrity Framework - Clarifying the process for procurement of vaccines and possibly pharmaceuticals under the evolving procurement framework. Patented Medicines (Notice of Compliance) Regulations which seek to balance the protection of Intellectual Property (IP) and patents with cost containment. Advocacy to ensure that IP rights are respected and internationally competitive in order to promote Research and Development. Legislation, regulations, policies and programs concerning the federal government's response to COVID-19, including pandemic preparedness, pharmaceutical and vaccine supply-chain management, and general administration of justice. Food and Drugs Act and the bill formerly known as Bill C-51: An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. Specifically, with respect to the renewal of the drug approval process. Advocacy to ensure that Canada's review and approval process is timely, safe, effective, competitive and consistent with other jurisdictions. FedDev Ontario Advanced Manufacturing Fund - advancing manufacturing of innovative pharmaceutical products in southern Ontario Engage with government to strengthen the Priority Review for Drug Submissions process. Engage the Government regarding the need for clear and efficient procurement processes for COVID-19 medical countermeasures, including COVID-19 therapeutics, to ensure access for Canadians. Engagement with the Government regarding the Strategic Innovation Fund Drug Re-importation - Raise awareness regarding the potential risks to drug and vaccine supply fo
HIV Legal Network
1Criminal Code R.S.C. 1985, c. 46 Our interest is in ensuring that this law and its application in practice does not discriminate against people living with HIV or impede access to prevention information, tools and services on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, S.C. 2001, c. 27 Our interest is in ensuring that this law and its application in practice does not discriminate against people living with HIV and other health conditions. Criminal Code R.S.C. 1985, c.46 Our interest is in ensuring that this law and its application in practice does not impede access to prevention information, tools and services (for example needle distribution programs, supervised consumption services, Opioid Agonist Treatment) on the Human Immunodeficiency (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and other health services for people who use drugs. Criminal Code, R.S.C 1985, c.46 Our interest is in ensuring that provisions of this statute dealing with sex work do not undermine the health, safety and other human rights of sex workers, including in relation to HIV. Corrections and Conditional Release Act, S.C. 1992, c.20 Our interest is in ensuring that this legislation facilitates access to prevention information tools and services on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and facilitates access to adequate care, treatment and support for prisoners with HIV or HCV. Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, S.C. 1996, c. 19 Our interest is in ensuring that this law and its application in practice, does not impede access to prevention information, tools and services (eg. needle distribution programs, supervised consumption services, Opioid Agonist Treatment) on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and other health services for people who use drugs. Case for increasing funding to the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada, and community concerns about the roll-out of the Community Action Fund under said Federal Initiative.