Access To Medicines Foundation Details Methodology For 2018 AMR Benchmark24/08/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThe Amsterdam-based Access to Medicines Foundation today published the methodology it will use for its 2018 framework for evaluating how pharmaceutical companies are taking action to limit antimicrobial resistance, addressing the rising the global problem of overuse of antibiotics leading to resistance with few new ones in the pipeline.
INTA Pro Bono Trademark Clearinghouse Takes Off23/08/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentThis summer, the International Trademark Association (INTA), the global trademark industry group, launched a one-of-a-kind pilot program offering pro bono attorneys the opportunity to help nonprofits and others obtain and protect trademarks. And in its first weeks, it is already receiving submissions and a positive response, according to an INTA representative.
US Issues Spate Of Trade Announcements, With IP In The Foreground22/08/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentWith much of the rest of the western world on holidays, the Office of the United States Trade Representative spent this month in meetings and issuing statements about improving international trade conditions for the US.Over the past two weeks, United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and other senior officials have been involved in activities with Canada and Mexico (under renegotiation of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, NAFTA), Japan, South Korea, and China.
Qatar WTO Complaint: Saudi, UAE, Bahrain Restrictions Violate IP Rights04/08/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 CommentThe government of Qatar has requested World Trade Organization dispute settlement consultations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia over restrictions ranging from goods and services, to airspace, to intellectual property rights. In the filing, Qatar complains the countries are engaging in “coercive attempts at economic isolation.”
Report Shows Benefits Of US Investment In Global Health R&D03/08/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentA new report from a global health advocacy group in Washington, DC shows the importance to the United States of US government investment in global health research and development and argues that more investment would have a tremendous positive impact on lives worldwide, including in fighting neglected diseases.
New Book Puts WIPO Traditional Knowledge Committee In Perspective02/08/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentA new book with contributions from key thinkers on the subject details the long history and intensive negotiations of the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore, making a case for conclusion of binding international agreements in these areas as a way to close gaps in intellectual property policy.
Report From WHO Fair Pricing Meeting Shows Balanced Discussion28/07/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentA wide range of governments and stakeholders attended a closed meeting in the Netherlands in May to address the ongoing problem of pricing medicines to pay for research and the resulting lack of affordability of those medicines. The report from the World Health Organization-led meeting shows a range of points were made by participants and signals a move to change the global policy.
The Case For Nations To Act On Medicines Access23/07/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 CommentsNEW YORK — A range of speakers, including top health officials from both a developed and developing country, last week laid out the case for why the world’s leaders must now launch a shift in the way medicines all populations need are developed and priced. The need for global collaboration is clear, speakers said, but who will lead?
WHO Prequalifies First Generic Hepatitis C Drug And First HIV Self-Test21/07/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentIn the days before this month’s AIDS conference being held in Paris, the World Health Organization has announced the prequalification of the first generic version of sofosbuvir, a “critical” medicine for treating hepatitis C. Treatment for hepatitis C under patent has been notoriously priced at extreme high levels, putting it out of reach of patients in economies of all sizes.
More Than Half Of People With HIV Now Have Access To Treatment, UNAIDS Says20/07/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a CommentFor the first time, more than half of people in the world living with HIV have access to treatment, UNAIDS said in a report released today in Geneva. In addition, AIDS-related deaths have been nearly cut in half since 2005, it said. As of 2016, nearly 20 million people were living with HIV.
