New Resolution Gives Governments Control Of WHO Work On False Medicines 21/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments After an at times bitter week-long debate on the issue of fake and poor quality drugs, member states have decided they will lead the World Health Organization forward towards a resolution on the issue.
NGOs, Industry Weigh Alternatives For R&D Financing, Counterfeiting At WHO 21/05/2010 by Catherine Saez, William New and Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The past year’s expert working group process at the World Health Organization on solutions for financing of research and development into diseases afflicting poor nations was flawed and led to an unsatisfactory result, representatives of non-governmental organisations said this week. But innovation and access can both be provided, and the issue of IP protection can be de-linked from the way innovation is done, speakers at a side event to this week’s World Health Assembly said. Meanwhile, NGOs and industry also offered their views on WHO counterfeiting efforts this week.
Conference Debates Strategic Patenting, Innovation & Public Health 21/05/2010 by Monika Ermert for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment MUNICH – Whether strengthening patent protection and extending data exclusivity is the way to more innovation in the pharmaceutical and diagnostic sector was the subject of a recent conference here.
Latest Chair’s Draft Issued On Future Of WHO And IP, Innovation 20/05/2010 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The latest draft is now available from the Swiss chair overseeing a small side group at the World Health Assembly trying to work out how to take forward a landmark initiative within the UN agency on innovation and intellectual property rights. It shows that countries negotiating the WHO’s next step on the sensitive topic are leaning toward establishment of a new group with more government involvement this time.
New Draft Resolution On Counterfeits At WHO 20/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch and William New Leave a Comment A new conference paper has been submitted to the World Health Assembly committee addressing the World Health Organization work on counterfeit and substandard medicines. It offers a way forward on this week’s most controversial issue by involving governments directly in the activities through an intergovernmental working group.
WHO’s Precious Matsoso On Public Health, Innovation And Intellectual Property 20/05/2010 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The annual World Health Assembly is considering how to take forward a 2008 landmark decision at the World Health Organization that approved a new Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property. Precious Matsoso, the current director of the WHO programme, spoke to Intellectual Property Watch in April about the ongoing implementation of the strategy, and what is needed to keep momentum going.
WHO: No Evidence Of Misleading On Counterfeit Medicines 20/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments There is no evidence that the work of the World Health Organization has been misled or misled its members on the issue of fake or dangerous drugs, representatives of the UN organisation told journalists today. Nor is the WHO yet ready to drop use of the term ‘counterfeit’ to describe such medicines despite generic producing nations complaints about possible confusion over the term.
Debate Erupts Over WHO Police Work Against “Counterfeit” Drugs Trade 20/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 6 Comments A battle broke out yesterday at the World Health Organization over whether it should continue its relationship with an in-house anti-counterfeiting law enforcement and customs group, and what that decision might mean for the role of the organisation in the fight against fake medicines.
Proposals At WHO Would Boost Drug Safety, Replace Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce 18/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Discussion at the annual World Health Assembly on counterfeit medicines may prove lively as stakeholders continue to raise concerns that the term “counterfeit” will confuse protecting patients from unsafe drugs with protecting trademarks from infringement. And an industry-led event in the lead-up to the WHA said counterfeit medicines pose great risks and will require a coordinated international response.
Developing Countries Blast WHO Report On IP, Demand “Credible” Approach 18/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch and William New 5 Comments A critical report on financing research and development of medicines for the world’s poorest was created without transparency, failed to live up to its mandate, and did not address the potential threat that intellectual property rights can pose to access to drugs, developing countries said today at the World Health Assembly. A proposal by a group of Latin American countries for a new intergovernmental working group was not accepted by developed countries and others and quick informal consultations began to work out differences before the end of the assembly this week.