WHO Members Note Reform Progress, Ask For Speedy Implementation 23/05/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Health Organization members this week examined progress made in the ongoing reform of the UN agency. Members speaking in committee made firm requests for speedy implementation of reforms, and commended WHO’s efforts toward financial sustainability, with some cautions.
WHO Wrestles With Plan To Pursue R&D For Neglected Diseases 23/05/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Health Organization members today are expected to address a proposal on future efforts to find a solution to the longstanding problem of sustainable funding for research into diseases predominantly afflicting poor populations. An effort to close the topic yesterday was delayed when a proposal was put forward that named a WHO department as the potential host of the future activities on this issue.
WHA: New Draft Decision On Non-State Actors Sets Plan For Next Year 23/05/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A new draft decision putting action on a proposal for external actors’ engagement with the World Health Organization on track for next year will be considered by a committee at the World Health Assembly.
WHA: Experts Discuss Innovation, Access For Middle Income Countries 23/05/2014 by Joséphine De Ruyck for Intellectual Property Watch and Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Country officials, academics and leading global health advocates this week raised one of the key concerns of this year’s World Health Assembly: innovation and access to medicines in middle-income countries. Government procurement strategies, voluntary and compulsory licensing, de-linkage models and UNITAID mechanisms were among some of the solutions put forward.
No Agreement On Management Of WHO Relationship With External Actors 22/05/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments After several drafting sessions this week meant to finalise a framework to govern the engagement of the World Health Organization with the private sector, nongovernmental organisations, foundations and academics, country delegates admitted defeat today at the World Health Assembly.
WHA Adopts Resolution On Hepatitis; Member States Concerned Over High Prices 22/05/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Member states today unanimously adopted a resolution on hepatitis drafted by the Executive Board meeting in January 2014, with two small amendments decided upon in informal intersessional consultations since the Board meeting.
World Health Assembly: WHO To Member States: Support Our Efforts Vs. Substandard, Fake Medicines 22/05/2014 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Health Organization members this week will decide on approval of a work plan on poor quality medicines, and the WHO secretariat is hoping members will follow with financial support to carry out the plan.
Vaccines At WHA: Immunization Concerns, High Prices For Middle-Income Countries 22/05/2014 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Immunization coverage in many developing countries remains low and even shows a decrease in some cases, according to the report of a World Health Organization advisory group of experts, to be noted by this week’s World Health Assembly. A number of developing countries yesterday underlined the high cost of new vaccines and asked that the WHO help them campaign for lower prices.
World Health Assembly Approves Resolution On Combatting Tuberculosis 22/05/2014 by Joséphine De Ruyck for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Health Assembly on 21 May approved a resolution on global strategy and targets for tuberculosis prevention, care and control after 2015, which includes a new multisectoral strategic approach and bold targets to bring an end to the global epidemic by 2035.
World Health Assembly: Panels Discuss Diagnostics, Surveillance, R&D Models For Antibiotic Resistance 22/05/2014 by Julia Fraser for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Multiple stakeholders are pushing for a World Health Organization-led global action plan to curb antimicrobial resistance.