Did The WHO Just Invite Corporates To Set Health Policy?

From the News Minute (India): The Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr. Margaret Chan has invited the private sector, civil society and academia among others, to join a dialogue on how non-state players can work with the global body to enhance public health work. A leading voice in this configuration is the United States-based Global Health Council (GHC) whose strong and spirited response to the invitation has set the cat among the pigeons in some countries (including reportedly with India) and certain sections of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

“It is my honour as representative of the Global Health Council Delegation to present the Global Health Council Delegation Members,” Dr. Christine Sow, Executive Director of the GHC said in a letter to Dr. Chan.

The letter dated May 5th 2015 has been accessed by The News Minute (TNM) and it lists over a 100 top dogs of the food and beverage sector to top universities and pharmaceutical companies. This year, the GHC has been allowed to bring over a 100 delegates. A new industry body that is keen to get official status relations with the WHO is the international Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA) representing big food corporations, Nestlé, Ferrero, Coca Cola, Mars, McDonalds and Pepsico. Sugar is a major issue of contention with some countries calling it the next tobacco that must be severely regulated in foods and beverages. Some participants in the GHC list have only partially declared their work including one who works with the alcohol industry. In principle and practice this invitation raises several ethical issues at a time when the WHO is strapped for cash.

For the full story, see: http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/did-who-just-invite-corporates-set-health-policy#sthash.ISr8p1Cd.dpuf

For another story on the issue see here.

For IP-Watch reporting on the non-state actor issue at WHA 68, see here.