Geneva Health Campus: New Home For Global Fund, GAVI, Unitaid In 2018 14/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The construction of a new building to host the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and other key players in the area of global health is well under way in Geneva. The “Campus Santé” (Health Campus) is expected to open its doors at the beginning of 2018. The hosts of the building will be tenants, while the investment costs are borne by Crédit Suisse, a prominent Swiss investment bank.
Hepatitis C Patent Challenges In India, Argentina To Allow Generic Production 14/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Resistance to high prices for hepatitis C drugs is ongoing as five new challenges against patents have been filed in India and Argentina, according to sources. Those challenges aim at allowing the production and distribution of affordable generic versions of new hepatitis C medicines (direct-acting antivirals).
The Problem With Rare Diseases: R&D Lacking, High Prices, Discrimination, IP Issues 13/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Over 6,000 rare diseases, those affecting very small populations, have been documented in the world. For those affected, treatments are mostly non-existent, and if they do exist, are not affordable. An event last week gathered a number of stakeholders, including rare disease organisations, the World Health Organization and the pharmaceutical industry to discuss the particular issue of rare diseases. The case of rare diseases is an exacerbated example of research, pricing, accessibility and affordability.
Leadership Rotation For Fight The Fakes Campaign 09/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A new industry group today took the reins of the Fight the Fakes campaign, a growing coalition against fake medicines, the first rotation in leadership since its launch in late 2013.
Confidential Draft Of WHO Cancer Resolution Shows Remaining Issues IP-Related 07/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The latest version of a draft resolution on addressing the global rise of cancer negotiated last week at the World Health Organization shows that remaining points are intellectual property-related, but there seems to be agreement on referencing trade flexibilities in the text, even from the United States, and a common goal of lowering prices of treatment. WHO members tried to reach common language during the Executive Board in January but time ran out and discussions are expected to continue until the annual World Health Assembly in May.
Pharma Joins Atomic Energy Agency On Cancer Treatment Training In Poor Countries 06/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Seeking to address the growing issue of cancer, and in particular the lack of access to diagnosis and treatment in low and middle-income countries, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have entered into a collaboration.
No Shorter Floor Statements Nor Cap On Agenda Items, Says WHO Board 03/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Despite being in a time of tight budgets, the World Health Organization Executive Board meeting which ended this week had its heaviest agenda ever, according WHO Director General Margaret Chan, adding to staff workload and expenses. But the Board finished its work a day early (though after holding three evening sessions), earning praise from Chan. Efforts during the week to make meetings more efficient by limiting agenda items and reducing time allowed for statements fell short. Separately, concerns arose over a leadership advisory group to the WHO director general.
Medicines Issued From EU-Funded Research Should Be Widely Accessible, Groups Say 03/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Health advocacy groups called on the European Commission yesterday to change the way it funds research and development for new medicines so that innovations can serve a larger public.
UN High-Level Panel, Medicines Access Find Foothold At World Health Assembly In May 01/02/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments World Health Organization member states seeking solutions for ensuring medicines access have been looking for ways to get a recent controversial report from the UN headquarters on the WHO agenda. The Executive Board this week heard concerns and left open the possibility that it will come up at the annual World Health Assembly in May.
Resolution On Compulsory Licences For Patented Medicines Passes In Chile 01/02/2017 by Kim Treanor for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A resolution has been passed by Chile’s Chamber of Deputies, a branch of its National Congress, to encourage the use of compulsory licences to import generic versions of a patented drug when necessary to protect and promote the health of the population.