Cancer Resolution Not Agreed Yet At WHO; Work Needed On IP Issues31/01/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 CommentsWorld Health Organisation members tried to agree on a draft resolution on cancer during the WHO Executive Board but consensus escaped them, in particular on intellectual property issues, according to sources. The text is expected to be discussed informally with a view to reaching common language on the remaining issues by the annual World Health Assembly in May.
Gates Foundation, KEI Enter Into Official Relations With WHO31/01/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsThe World Health Organization Executive Board ended its meeting one day early today, and agreed to have five new institutions to enter into official relation with the organisation, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, despite protests from civil society groups, and Knowledge Ecology International, led by activist firebrand Jamie Love. Meanwhile, the WHO is pursuing the implementation of its framework of engagement with non-governmental actors adopted in 2016. WHO members urged the organisation to speedily provide implementation tools such as a register of all such actors. The WHO said all is on track and is expected to be ready by the next World Health Assembly.
WHO-Led Efforts To Boost R&D In Neglected Diseases Jeopardised By Funding Gap31/01/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsFinding resources to fund research and development for diseases primarily affecting developing and least-developed countries is a continuous challenge. Hopes were raised in 2015 with projects to launch a Global Observatory on Health Research and Development, and a voluntary pooled fund for research and development projects. However, the lack of funding is jeopardizing those initiatives despite some contributions by developed and middle-income countries.
WTO Members Celebrate Treaty Amendment On Medicines Access, Look Ahead30/01/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 CommentsA high-level meeting at the World Trade Organization today welcomed in an amendment to international trade rules for intellectual property aimed at boosting exports of affordable medicines. It also set out the way ahead to make it work.
WHO Members Negotiate Resolution On Cancer; High Prices In Question30/01/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 CommentsCancer is spreading. According to the World Health Organization, the number of new cases of cancer is projected to increase to 21.6 million annually by 2030. The WHO Executive Board this week is considering a draft resolution for actions by the WHO member states and the secretariat. The resolution is being discussed and amended as issues such as the affordability and the accessibility of new cancer medicines, in particular in developing countries, are highlighted by many.
WHO Board Agrees To Drop The Word ‘Counterfeit’ After 30 Years30/01/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsFor nearly 30 years, the United Nations World Health Organization has been referring to poor-quality and fake medicines as counterfeit. But that is about to change.
Is Gates Foundation, WHO’s Biggest Private Funder, Ineligible To Join WHO?29/01/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 CommentsAs the World Health Organization Board prepares to consider candidate institutions to be admitted into official relations with the organisation, some health and public interest groups are raising alarm at what they see as a seeming lack of safeguard against conflicts of interest. Particular concern has been raised over admitting the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as an observer because of the Foundation trust’s investments in business ventures such as Coca-Cola, which they see as contrary to health goals. But the Gates Foundation, which is the biggest private donor to the WHO, said the trust is a separate entity from the foundation, and therefore does not represent any conflict of interest.
Virus Genetic Information Hot Topic At WHO; Flu Framework Under Nagoya Needs More Time29/01/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 CommentsWorld Health Organization members decided more consideration is needed to address the genetic information of flu viruses in the organisation’s pandemic framework, and the suggestion to have the framework considered as a special instrument under the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit sharing of genetic resources.
WHO, Netherlands To Hold Fair Drug Pricing Forum In May27/01/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsThe World Health Organization and The Netherlands government will co-host a meeting in the spring that brings experts together to look at high drug prices and the purchasing of medicines.
US Army Extends Comment Period On Proposed Exclusive Zika Licence27/01/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 CommentsThe US Army has extended the comment period on the proposed licence to pharmaceutical company Sanofi on technology necessary to create a vaccine for the Zika virus. This is the second extension, and will permit public comments through 10 March 2017.
