Skip to Main content

8.47°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Feb 24, 2023 6:46 PM - The Canadian Press

Head of Canada's drug price regulator resigns same week as colleague steps down

Share On

head-of-canadas-drug-price-regulator-resigns-same-week-as-colleague-steps-down

On Thursday, Matthew Herder, a professor of health law at Dalhousie University, announced he had resigned from the board, accusing the federal government of failing to implement critically important reforms that would lower the cost of medication.

The executive director of Canada's drug pricing regulator is stepping down, just days after another member resigned because of concerns that the federal government was undermining the regulator's work.

Douglas Clark, executive director of the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board, announced today he will be leaving his post after almost a decade with the regulator.

On Thursday, Matthew Herder, a professor of health law at Dalhousie University, announced he had resigned from the board, accusing the federal government of failing to implement critically important reforms that would lower the cost of medication.

Herder said in his resignation letter addressed to federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos that he is stepping down because he no longer believes it is possible to serve the public good in this role, which he had held since 2018.

Herder responded today on social media to news of Clark's resignation, calling it an immense and irreplaceable loss.

Clark has agreed to remain with the board as a special adviser for an unspecified amount of time, and the board says work to appoint Clark’s successor will be launched soon.

The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board regulates the prices of patented medicines sold in Canada.

Latest news

school-closed-after-early-morning-fire-at-abbotsford-learning-centre-police-investigating-arson

School closed after early morning fire at Abbotsford learning centre, police investigating arson

Abbotsford police say an early morning fire at a local school is being investigated as an arson, according to a police news release. Patrol officers responded at about 3:49 a.m. to a report of a fire at the Bakerview Centre for Learning on the 32600 block of Marshall Road. When officers arrived, Abbotsford Fire and Rescue Service crews were already on scene and extinguishing what police described as a small fire. Police said the blaze caused damage to both the exterior and interior of the building. No injuries were reported. According to the Abbotsford Police Department, the investigation rema

surrey-police-investigate-early-morning-shooting-at-surrey-central-residence

CanadaApr 13, 2026

Surrey police investigate early morning shooting at Surrey Central residence

Police in Surrey are investigating a shooting that damaged a home in the Surrey Central area early Monday morning. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, officers responded at حوالي 2:50 a.m. to reports of gunfire near 95 Avenue and 127 Street. When officers arrived, they located a residence with visible damage consistent with gunshots. Police said no injuries were reported among the occupants of the home. The Surrey Police Service Major Crime Section is leading the investigation, with support from Integrated Forensic Identification Services, according to the release. Investig

carney-signals-shift-on-u-s-ties-defence-spending-in-montreal-speech

CanadaApr 13, 2026

Carney signals shift on U.S. ties, defence spending in Montreal speech

Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a closing address at the Liberal Party’s national convention in Montreal on Saturday, outlining a tougher position on Canada–U.S. relations and a planned shift in defence spending. According to remarks made during the convention, Carney said Canada would move away from past defence procurement patterns in which a significant portion of spending flowed to the United States. He told party members that future investments would be directed more toward domestic capacity. The statement drew a standing ovation from attendees. Carney’s comments come as Canada

AlbertaApr 13, 2026

Proposed Blue Line LRT extension to Calgary airport enters field study phase

The City of Calgary says preliminary field work is set to begin this month as part of planning for a potential northward extension of the Blue Line LRT toward the airport. According to a city notice, crews will conduct on-site investigations along the proposed corridor to 88th Avenue N.E., including assessments of ground conditions, groundwater levels and site-specific details needed for early-stage design. The work is part of the city’s long-term transit planning and would inform future decisions by council on whether to advance the project, including funding, design and timelines. The airp

AlbertaApr 13, 2026

Alberta court pauses referendum petition process tied to separation effort

An Alberta court has ordered a temporary halt to key steps in a citizen-led petition campaign seeking to advance a referendum on the province separating from Canada. In a written decision released Friday, Justice Shaina Leonard said petition organizers may continue collecting signatures. However, Elections Alberta is barred from verifying those signatures or forwarding the matter to Premier Danielle Smith’s government while the case is under review. According to the court decision, the pause follows a legal challenge filed by several First Nations. Their lawyers argue that Alberta’s citize

Related News

Surrey police investigate early morning shooting at Surrey Central residence

Surrey police investigate early morning shooting at Surrey Central residence

Police in Surrey are investigating a shooting that damaged a home in the Surrey Central area early Monday morning. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, officers responded at حوالي 2:50 a.m. to reports of gunfire near 95 Avenue and 127 Street. When officers arrived, they located a residence with visible damage consistent with gunshots. Police said no injuries were reported among the occupants of the home. The Surrey Police Service Major Crime Section is leading the investigation, with support from Integrated Forensic Identification Services, according to the release. Investig

Carney signals shift on U.S. ties, defence spending in Montreal speech

Carney signals shift on U.S. ties, defence spending in Montreal speech

Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a closing address at the Liberal Party’s national convention in Montreal on Saturday, outlining a tougher position on Canada–U.S. relations and a planned shift in defence spending. According to remarks made during the convention, Carney said Canada would move away from past defence procurement patterns in which a significant portion of spending flowed to the United States. He told party members that future investments would be directed more toward domestic capacity. The statement drew a standing ovation from attendees. Carney’s comments come as Canada

Voters cast ballots in three byelections that could give Liberals majority in House

Voters cast ballots in three byelections that could give Liberals majority in House

Voters are heading to the polls in three federal byelections today that are expected to determine whether the governing Liberals secure a majority in the House of Commons. Two of the ridings are long-held Liberal seats in the Toronto area, while a third contest in Terrebonne, Que., is considered competitive between the Bloc Québécois and the Liberals. The Quebec riding is being closely watched as it could decide whether the government crosses the majority threshold. According to Elections Canada, the byelections were called to fill vacancies left by former Liberal MPs Bill Blair and Chrystia

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital