Harkness Project Title: Impact of Canadian Drug Policies on Quality and Safety

Biography at time of Harkness Fellowship: Neil J. MacKinnon, Ph.D., F.C.S.H.P., a 2007–08 Canadian Harkness Associate in Health Care Policy and Practice, is an associate professor and the Associate Director for Research in the College of Pharmacy at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia. Dr. MacKinnon also has faculty appointments in Dalhousie's School of Health Services Administration and Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, and is also a member of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute's research and evaluation committee, a faculty member of the Safer Healthcare Now campaign (medication reconciliation initiative) and a member of the Medication Advisory Panel for a private third-party payer, Medavie Blue Cross. His primary research focus has been on the safety and quality of the medication-use system, and his current research interests include developing a brokerage function for linking Canadian researchers and decision makers in patient safety, and developing medication safety indicators. Dr. MacKinnon has co-authored over 35 peer-reviewed journal articles and edited two books. He holds a Ph.D. in pharmacy health care administration from the University of Florida, and a master's degree in hospital pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin.

Current Position: Professor and Walter H. Pearce Endowed Chair, Director of the Center for Rural Health, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public health, University of Arizona (Updated February 2012)

E-mail: neil.mackinnon@dal.ca

Harkness-Related Publications

Sears K, Scobie A, MacKinnon NJ. “Patient-related risk factors for self-reported medication errors in hospital and community settings in 8 countries.” Canadian Pharmacists Journal. March 2012, Vol 145, No. 2, 88-93.  

Church R and MacKinnonN. Take as Directed:Your Prescription for Safe Health Care in Canada. Ecw Press: 2010. (In press)

O’Hagan J, MacKinnon NJ, Persaud D, Etchegary H. Self-Reported Medical Errors in Seven Countries: Implications for Canada. Healthcare Quarterly (Patient Safety Papers). 2009; 12: 55-61.

The Health Council of Canada (2009). The National Pharmaceuticals Strategy: A Prescription Unfilled. A Status Report. Toronto: Health Council.

Scobie A, MacKinnon NJ, Higgins S, Etchegary H, Church R. “The medical home in Canada: Patient perceptions of quality and safety.” Healthcare Management Forum/Gestion des soins de santé; Spring/printemps 2009: 47-51.

MacKinnon NJ, Ip I. "The National Pharmaceuticals Strategy: Rest in peace, revive or renew? (Commentary)" CMAJ, DOI:10.1503/cmaj.082087.

MacKinnon N and Sanmartin C. “Middle of the health care pack: Canada’s performance in the 2007 Commonwealth Fund international survey.” Canadian Family Physician, July 2008; 54: 965-966.

Morrison A, MackKinnon NJ, Hartnell NR, and McCaffrey KJ. “Impact of drug plan management policies in Canada: A systematic review.” CPJ/RPC, November/December 2008; 141(6): 332-338.e2.