WHO Set On Reform Path With Concerns; Pandemic Plan Agreed, Counterfeits Not 24/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments After ten days of discussions, country delegates closed the annual World Health Assembly today with the adoption of a set of decisions, one of which is a drastic programme of reforms that is intended to restore the World Health Organization’s central place in public health governance.
Official: WHO Budget Cuts Not Likely To Impact Work On Innovation, IP 23/05/2011 by William New and Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Significant budget cuts being approved this week at the World Health Organization will not affect programmes related to intellectual property rights, innovation and public health, a WHO official has told Intellectual Property Watch. In fact, the WHO is intensifying its work in these areas.
WHO Needs Another Year To Solve Differences On Fake Medicines, Committee Decides 23/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Country delegates gathered Saturday at the World Health Assembly decided to give another year to a working group in charge of making recommendations on falsified medicines. Unanimously, countries decided that more time is needed to reach consensual recommendations, in particular on the prickly issue of intellectual property rights.
Workplan Of WHO Group On Neglected Diseases R&D Shows Timeline 23/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A World Health Organization expert working group on innovative financing of research and development for diseases particularly affecting developing countries will present its inception report and work plan this week.
WHO Members On Verge Of New Framework For Pandemic Flu Response 23/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Enthusiasm and relief were palpable at the World Health Assembly last week when member states in committee adopted a resolution on global preparedness in case of influenza pandemic, and in particular on the sharing of viruses and access to vaccines for developing countries.
WHO Reform Mandate, Pandemic Report Clear Hurdles 20/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A committee of member governments of the World Health Organization this week adopted a resolution on the future financing of the organisation and a broad set of reforms, as well as a resolution on the WHO’s management of a recent influenza pandemic showing no evidence of wrongdoing.
Bill Gates Calls For “Vaccine Decade;” Explains How Patent System Drives Public Health Aid 17/05/2011 by William New and Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments Microsoft legend Bill Gates is impassioned about helping to save lives as head of a large-scale foundation. Today, he explained to Intellectual Property Watch how intellectual property rights help drive that process forward and make it sustainable.
US Supports WHO Reforms, Backs Director General Chan 17/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The United States fully supports the programme of reforms proposed by the World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan, the US health minister said today.
Chan: WHO Embarking On “Most Extensive” Reforms In Its History 16/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan today presented her broad vision of a reformed WHO at the opening of the annual assembly of the organisation, and said the WHO was clear of suspicion of alleged pharmaceutical industry influence on the management of the H1N1 pandemic.
EU Makes Push To Facilitate Geographical Indications In ACP Countries 16/05/2011 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A European Union-backed project organised a conference at the World Trade Organization last week to rally Africa to the cause of geographical indications.