A Comprehensive And Fair Solution To The Price Of Medicines 29/06/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment WHO’s Marie-Paule Kieny writes: Amid public outcry, political battles and media articles, no one seems to understand how, exactly, medicines prices are set. For years, pharmaceutical research companies have cited the large investment of time and resources that go into bringing a drug to market. More recently, they argue that their medicines are actually saving money by preventing expensive medical interventions like surgery and hospitalization. But whatever the argument used, the price setting mechanisms for commodities that are inextricably linked to people’s health and survival must be made more transparent so that we can, as a global community, devise effective solutions.
WHO Names New Head Of Health Emergencies 28/06/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Health Organization has named veteran health crisis expert Peter Salama of Australia the next head of the Health Emergencies Programme, a high-profile position for the UN agency’s leadership against outbreaks and disasters.
WIPO Patent Law Committee Undertakes Many Issues This Week 27/06/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP) is meeting this week. Among the possible agenda items: updates to the international patent system, exceptions and limitations to patents, quality of patents, patents and health, confidentiality of client-patent advisor communications, and technology transfer. A recent developed country proposal relates to increased work-sharing among patent offices. Also on the table this week is a new proposal to study the assessment of inventive step by patent practitioners.
USTR Froman: IP-Related Biologics Still Key Sticking Point For TPP Passage In US 20/06/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment United States Trade Representative Michael Froman today said biologics remain one of the biggest unresolved issues in getting the Trans-Pacific Partnership passed in the US Congress. He called biologics an intellectual property rights issue and said the administration is working with Congress and industry to resolve concerns without reopening the trade deal completed last autumn.
European Council Approves First-Ever Analysis Of Drug Prices With Look At IP Rights 17/06/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The 28 European Union governments today gave final approval to a first-ever plan to analyse medicines competition in Europe, with reference to drug prices, generics and biosimilars, and intellectual property rights. The final version was watered down after what sources said was heavy industry lobbying, compared to a leaked version published in Intellectual Property Watch two weeks ago, but still retains some strong provisions regarding pricing and competition.
WHO/PAHO New Response Plan For Zika Until December 2017 17/06/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new response plan for a strategic response to the Zika virus has been announced by the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization.
European Council Conclusions On Steps To Combat Antimicrobial Resistance 17/06/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The 28 European Union member governments have concluded next steps for addressing antimicrobial resistance, with a strong emphasis on reducing use of antibiotics in animals, but also including a call for new business models.
Generics, Biosimilars Makers Join Global Medical Harmonisation Body 15/06/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Doors to a global medical harmonisation organisation opened to the generic and biosimilar industry, which described it as an historical moment for them. The industry will now be able to sit on the assembly of the international body that joins regulators with the pharmaceutical industry.
Panels Brainstorm Ideas On Innovation And Drug Access 15/06/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The quest of balance between encouraging medical innovation and the imperative of broad access to medicines has so far been elusive. Two Harvard University programmes jointly organised a workshop this week with the aim of encouraging a conversation between global health actors and see if some “outside the box” thinking is possible.
UN Development Agency Issues Guidelines For Pharmaceutical Patent Examiners 15/06/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new set of guidelines for pharmaceutical patent examination has been published by the United Nations Development Programme that seek to help reduce poor quality patents and ensure efficient market entry of generic products. The guidelines, written by a well-known advocate of access to medicines, aim at advising patent examiners in assessing the patentability requirements of applications relating to pharmaceutical products and processes.