IPIC Member, Thomas Digby, Appointed to Patented Medicine Prices Review Board

Last month, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, announced the appointment of Thomas J. Digby as the new Chairperson of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) for a five-year term.

Mr. Digby is a lawyer with expertise in intellectual property and has an extensive educational background in the Biological Sciences. He has over 25 years of experience working with the pharmaceutical sector and is highly knowledgeable regarding patented medicines. Thomas is a "big supporter of IPIC committees" and for the past several years has been a member of IPIC’s Indigenous IP Committee and was also Chair and now Past Chair of IPIC’s IP Trade Policy Committee. Thomas believes both of these IPIC Committees have been truly "engaging and have given [him] knowledge that will be of considerable use in [his] new role." (Thank you Thomas!)

The PMPRB is an independent quasi-judicial body established by Parliament in 1987 under the Patent Act. “The PMPRB plays an important role in protecting and informing Canadians on the price of patented medicines by reporting on pharmaceutical trends and ensuring that the prices in Canada are not excessive. Congratulations Thomas! We wish you all the best in your new endeavour and IPIC looks forward to continuing to work with you!