Global Antimicrobial Resistance R&D Hub Launched At Health Assembly 22/05/2018 by Damilola Adepeju for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Countries, organisations and foundations came together today alongside the annual World Health Assembly to launch the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Development Hub (Global AMR R&D Hub).
Taiwan Left At Health Assembly Door; Police Ask Activists To Remove Political T-Shirts 22/05/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment For the second year in a row, Taiwan has not been invited to participate as an observer at the World Health Assembly taking place this week. Political dissent with China borne out of a change of government in Taiwan now refusing to recognise the “One China” principle resulted in Taiwan being left out of the World Health Organization. At the opening of the Assembly, several countries supported Taiwan, including the United States.
WHO Director Dr Tedros Opens First Annual World Health Assembly With ‘Keys For Success’ 21/05/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (“Dr Tedros”) in his first speech in his function at head of the World Health Assembly described three keys to reach the ambitious goals of the organisation. He envisioned a transformed WHO helped by a strong leadership team, called for political commitment for which he said most country leaders are ready, and advocated partnerships with a number of international health actors, including the private sector.
Global Influenza Initiative Celebrates 10 Years, Adds Former WHO Official 21/05/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment As the annual World Health Assembly opened today, a global initiative for sharing influenza genetic data celebrated its tenth anniversary and announced new senior advisors for international affairs and biosecurity issues, one of which is Marie-Paule Kieny, former World Health Organization Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Innovation.
WHO Issues First-Ever List Of Essential Diagnostic Tests 15/05/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The World Health Organization today published its first Essential Diagnostics List, which identifies the most-needed tests for conditions and diseases.
Artificial Intelligence For Good: 3 Days To Discuss AI Solutions 15/05/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The second edition of an annual global summit on “artificial intelligence for good” spearheaded by the UN International Telecommunication Union opened today. A focus of the summit is how artificial intelligence can help advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The opening statements by UN heads, including the World Health Organization, showed growing interest in new technology to help in all kinds of areas such as health and agriculture.
Evergreened Patents Cause Unwarranted High Drug Prices, Hinder Growth Of Local Producers – NGOs, Thai Producers Claim 07/05/2018 by Sinfah Tunsarawuth for Intellectual Property Watch 17 Comments BANGKOK – Transnational drug manufacturers’ tactics of obtaining unmerited patent applications have unnecessarily raised healthcare costs and impeded the growth of domestic generic drug industry, costing the Thai government hundreds of millions of dollars, drug access campaigners and local producers have said.
Civil Society Key In TRIPS Flexibility Implementation 04/05/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 22 Comments When the agreement on intellectual property was adopted by the World Trade Organization, a number of flexibilities were included in the text, mainly to give developing countries policy space to implement the agreement with development considerations. However, some countries through lack of awareness or economic pressure have not used those flexibilities fully, and found themselves facing difficulties addressing their public health needs, which some associate with this failure to use the flexibilities. Civil society has engaged in notable efforts to counter pressure and raise policymakers’ awareness for a wider access to medicines.
World Health Assembly 2018 Preview: Guide To Key Issues 03/05/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The World Health Organization celebrated its 70th anniversary last month. Since the inception of the organisation, the world has changed, and so have its challenges. The global rise of non-communicable diseases is one example of those challenges, as well as the escalating prices of new medicines and chronic access issues in many countries. The annual World Health Assembly will open on 21 May with an ambitious new General Programme of Work for 2019-2023, which promises 1 billion more people under universal health coverage.
Geneva Developed Country Attachés For IP And Health To Meet 30/04/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Developed country attachés in Geneva for intellectual property and for health are invited to meet in a closed session tomorrow to exchange information in the run-up to the annual World Health Assembly taking place in late May.