Ali’s insights for CFP Board

SEPTEMBER 2022 – With his extensive background as a pharmaceutical executive, Canadian Foundation for Pharmacy board member Ali Moghaddam offers an industry perspective in helping the Foundation prepare for the future.

Why was it important for you to join CFP?

A lot of people I respected were already on the board, plus CFP has such a rich history dating back almost 80 years! The Foundation has done so many great things to advocate for pharmacy in Canada. I think I bring a different point of view to the board, given my background, and I hope to lend my perspective in helping CFP stay relevant for the next 30 years.

How do expect to do that?

As soon as I came on the board a few years ago, we all decided to develop a strategic plan around what CFP will be and do in the short- and long-term. I’m an active member of the strategic plan subcommittee and I am not afraid to voice my strong opinions on CFP’s strengths and weaknesses and where we could be adding more value. I also bring a point of view on the importance of technology in healthcare and in improving patient outcomes.  

I hope CFP can continue to be very relevant to our members and other stakeholders by staying at the forefront of pharmacy innovation and education. Already, the Foundation plays a key role in adding to the pharmacy ecosystem by supporting pharmacy research and up and coming pharmacists, through our Innovation grants and others. I also think we are helping bring stakeholders together for fundraising events and networking. This really creates an opportunity for cross-sector discussions about the things that are important to patients and across the pharmacy profession.

There is a perception sometimes that CFP is ‘controlled’ by big pharma stakeholders. As a board member in industry what do you say to that?

Pharma has a voice here because we are an important stakeholder, but certainly not the most important one. We need to make sure that people understand the values we represent are the values of multiple stakeholders across pharmacy.

Tell us a little about your own professional experience to date.

I have a science background and completed my CPA from McGill University. I have more than 20 years of experience as a pharmaceutical executive in Canada and the U.S. I was vice-president and general manager of Pharmascience before joining medical technology company Masimo where I serve as global vice-president and general manager, overseeing Canada, the U.S. and Europe. I was also past chair of the Market Growth Committee of the Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association.