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.
Advocates Back WHO Resolution On Chagas With Access To Diagnosis, Treatment 18/05/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Two groups this week are urging the World Health Assembly to address access to diagnosis, treatment and new drugs, for a tropical disease that is the leading parasitic killer in the Americas. At a side event on the first day of the assembly, civil society actors also expressed concern about the shrinking input of civil society in the annual WHO members’ meeting.
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.
Chan Urges Innovation, Defends WHO Flu Response As New Group Approved 18/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan opened the annual World Health Assembly today with a welcome of the transparency in the “most closely watched pandemic in history,” and how the drive to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals would unleash a “host of innovations for improving health, especially among the poorest,” adding a call for vaccines as one of the “best life-saving buys on offer.”
WHO Members To Act On Research Financing, Pandemic Preparedness 14/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment How to proceed with the results of an initiative aimed at finding real alternatives for innovative health research financing is on the agenda at next week’s World Health Assembly (WHA). The assembly also is expected to approve the continuation of a working group on pandemic influenza preparedness.
Counterfeit Medicines In WTO Dispute Process, Heating Up At WHO 12/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The international policy debate over counterfeit medicines and legitimate generics escalated today. Brazil and India took the first step in the World Trade Organization dispute settlement process for treatment of generics medicines falsely labelled counterfeit in Europe, and non-governmental organisations from both sides of the issue issued new releases stating their positions on the issues at the neighbouring World Health Organization.
New WHO Documents Show Results On IP, Innovation, Technology Transfer 11/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Three new documents from the World Health Organization programme on intellectual property and innovation obtained by Intellectual Property Watch provide new evidence on how technology transfer is working, analyse research prioritisation at the WHO, and indicate progress on a monitoring and evaluation strategy for the programme’s continued implementation, according to a preliminary reading.
ITU-UNESCO Broadband Commission Aims At Global Internet Access 10/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A global Broadband Commission for Digital Development announced today will unite industry, government and civil society in an attempt to expand access to the internet – and with that, access to information that is essential to participation and competition in the knowledge economy.
WIPO Traditional Knowledge Committee Agrees To Intensify Text-Based Negotiations 08/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A meeting of the World Intellectual Property Organization committee on traditional knowledge, traditional cultural expressions and genetic resources drew to a close today with an unusual ending: applause, and an agreement.