WHO Executive Board Adopts Draft Resolution On TB, Stresses Importance Of Resistant TB In Overall Fight Against AMR 05/02/2018 by Intellectual Property Watch, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Mirza Alas of the intergovernmental South Centre has published an analysis of the World Health Organization Executive Board approval of a draft resolution on actions toward ending tuberculosis and how it relates to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The opening paragraphs and a link to the original are provided below.
“We Must Engage With Industry” – WHO Director Explains Limits On Lobbyists 31/01/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The engagement of actors such as industry, civil society, philanthropy and academia with the World Health Organization has been a subject of controversy, with some of those actors being potentially able to influence the work of the organisation. A framework for engagement with those stakeholders was agreed two years ago. At last week’s Executive Board meeting, the new WHO director general explained that engagement with those actors, and notably industry, is worth the risk, which he said can be managed.
Snakebite Gets Attention Of WHO Executive Board, Draft Resolution Approved 30/01/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments A resolution to address the issue of snakebites, mainly in developing countries, was met with undisputed approval last week at the World Health Organization Executive Board. Some countries suggested that scorpion bites be mentioned in the resolution, which was deemed premature.
WHO Board Backs Ambitious Work Programme, Sent For Full Membership Approval 29/01/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments The World Health Organization programme of work 2019-2023 is one step closer to being adopted by member states and serving as a guideline for the future vision and mission of the organisation. The Executive Board approved the programme last week and recommended its adoption at the upcoming World Health Assembly. The programme issued by the secretariat in autumn was revised twice, as countries requested amendments.
WHO Antibiotic Resistance Data Shows Worrying Trend; Industry Ready To Help 29/01/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Today the World Health Organization released its first set of surveillance data on antibiotic resistance. The data shows that resistance to antibiotics is growing among the world’s most common bacteria, in both high- and low-income countries. Industry announced that it is in the process of making its surveillance data available.
Importance Of Flu Pandemic Preparedness Confirmed By WHO Board Decision 26/01/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment One hundred years after the great Spanish flu pandemic, World Health Organization members today underlined their satisfaction with the organisation’s framework to get countries best prepared for the next pandemic: The WHO Executive Board agreed on keeping most of the funds coming to the framework for preparedness measures, and a smaller portion for response measures, unless emergency strikes.
Facing Tense IP And Health Talks, WHO Board Erupts Into Dance (Video) 26/01/2018 by William New and Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Member nations of the World Health Organization became accustomed in recent years to singing by the WHO director general, and sometimes crying, but under the new DG there seems to be a move toward the whole room getting up in the middle of serious negotiations and … dancing.
WHO Executive Board Agrees On Actions To Boost R&D, Access To Medicines 26/01/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments After long deliberations, the World Health Organization Executive Board agreed this morning to ask member states and the organisation to implement recommendations aiming at improving innovation and access to medicines. Three recommendations, specifically aimed at member states, including on the transparency on the cost of research and development of medicines, met resistance by some countries and were left hanging, to be discussed by member states with no timeframe.
CBD Issues Study On Challenges For Benefit-Sharing Of Digital Genetic Information 26/01/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The UN Convention on Biological Diversity has issued the results of a fact-finding study on genetic resources digital genetic information. The study particularly examined terminology and how digital genetic information are influencing its protocol on access and benefit sharing of genetic resources. The study called for policymakers to stay abreast of the profound developments shaping research today, and underlined challenges such as the identification of contributors and users, the provenance of sequences, and what the study defined as a “grey area” between non-commercial and commercial research.
New Text Shows Progress Of Negotiation On IP And Access At WHO 25/01/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Brazilian ambassador and others this morning at the World Health Organization Executive Board meeting were not going to let go of what seemed to be a delaying tactic by the United States and Japan to postpone agreement on the implementation of measures aimed at facilitating research and development and access to medicines. The WHO Board today is considering a set of streamlined strategic measures on public health, innovation, and intellectual property.