Programs
Canadian Health Policy Institute (CHPI) hosts topically focused research programs, chaired by CHPI affiliated scholars. Active programs are shown below.
Access to Innovative Medicines
CHAIR: Brett Skinner, PhD
The program is focused on policy issues related to improving access to innovative medicines for Canadians. It is chaired by Brett Skinner, the Founder and CEO of CHPI and Editor-in-Chief of Canadian Health Policy journal (2012-present). Dr. Skinner has a PhD from Western University, where he has lectured in the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Department of Political Science. His extensive leadership experience in policy research and advocacy includes Executive Director of Health and Economic Policy at Innovative Medicines Canada (2013-2017), and CEO (2010-2012) and Director of Health Policy (2004-2012) at Fraser Institute. The program is partially funded by corporate group subscribers from the pharmaceuticals industry, including:
Policy for Patients with Rare Disorders
CHAIR: Nigel Rawson, PhD
The program is focused on identifying the special policy issues affecting access to innovative treatments for patients with rare disorders in Canada. It is chaired by Nigel Rawson, a pharmacoepidemiologist and pharmaceutical policy researcher based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Educated in the United Kingdom, he holds an MSc in statistics and a PhD in pharmacoepidemiology. Dr. Rawson held academic research positions in the United Kingdom until the end of 1989 and subsequently held professorships at the University of Saskatchewan and Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada.
Access to Chronic Disease Interventions in Employee Health and Wellness Plans
CHAIR: Sarah Lussier Hoskyn, MA
In 2021 CHPI established a new program focused on research to promote employee health and wellness, and to reduce the chronic disease burden in the workplace. It will inform employers about the costs associated with chronic disease, investigate trends in access to evidence-based health interventions, and identify opportunities for employers to augment their benefits and wellness offerings to support employee health and wellbeing, and ultimately to reduce costs. The program is chaired by Sarah Lussier Hoskyn. Ms Lussier Hoskyn earned a Master’s degree in Economics at the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor degree in Economics at McGill University. She has 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical consulting and policy research, most recently as Director of Research and Senior Analyst, Regulatory Affairs and Market Access at Innovative Medicines Canada (IMC), and prior to that as Engagement Manager, Senior Price Regulation Consultant, and Health Economist Consultant at Brogan Inc. (aka. IQVIA). Her interest in workplace health stems from her understanding of the drivers of drug cost trends through her own research at IMC, combined with her own health journey and experience of workplace offerings.
