2014 Prime of Life Achievement Award

Jim Blackburn’s research activities at the U of S focussed on pharmaco-epidemiology and drug utilization studies. He founded the first provincial drug information service for health care practitioners (1974) providing the public/consumer drug information service and the first provincial adverse drug reaction reporting program. When Sask. Prescription Drug Plan was established in 1976, he was appointed to the Drug Quality Assessment Committee and the Formulary Committee and served until 1983. Dr. Blackburn has served as president of the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (1972-73), the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (1996 – 97) and the Association of Deans of Pharmacy of Canada (1984 – 85). He served as chair of the Expert Advisory Committee on Herbs and Botanical Preparations with Health and Welfare Canada (1985-86 and 1993-94).

His international assignments included: Visiting Scientist in Clinical Pharmacology in Huddinge Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden (1989-90) and United States Pharmacopeia(1997-98).

Following his retirement, Jim accepted the position as Executive Director of the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada. Other assignments include Executive Director of the Canadian Council for the Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs, Chair of Advisory Committee on Management for the Therapeutic Products Directorate in Health Canada (1996-2003), Chair of Biomedical Research Ethics Board (U of S).

Jim’s postretirement honours include: Janssen-Ortho Distinguished Service Award, Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (2000), Pillar of Pharmacy Award, Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy (2002); Honoured Life Membership, Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (2006); Centennial Pharmacists Award, Canadian Pharmacists Association (2007); Distinguished Practitioner and Member, U.S. National Academy of Practice in Pharmacy (2009).