WHO Pandemic Advisory Group Adjourns Early

By Rachel Marusak Hermann for Intellectual Property Watch

The World Health Organization Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework Advisory Group wrapped up its first meeting a day early. Scheduled to meet 21-23 November, the 18-member group was supposed to work out details on how to carry out its mandate, according to sources.

A WHO official said that no information could be provided on the advisory group’s first meeting until a mission briefing had been held. The briefing date has not yet been confirmed, but it should be held in the coming weeks, the official said.

Applause could be heard outside the closed conference room at the meeting’s end, and one delegate walking out said that they were “efficient” and that members were pleased with how the meeting went.

On the first day of the meeting, the WHO provided the names and biographies of the advisory group members (IPW, WHO, 21 November 2011). The group’s functions, aimed at monitoring the pandemic flu framework and funding, are set out in Annex 3 of the framework, which was agreed at the May 2011 World Health Assembly (IPW, WHO, 24 May 2011).

Background on the PIP Framework is here. The text of the PIP Framework is here.