Last Chance Meeting To Agree On How WHO Engages With Non-Government Actors In April 02/02/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment World Health Organization members last week agreed to meet for a final session in April to discuss the framework regulating the engagement of the organisation with “non-state actors,” such as non-governmental and philanthropy organisations, and the private sector.
Special Feature: UN High Level Panel On Access To Medicines – First Reactions, Process Explained 01/02/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 8 Comments A high level panel of experts charged by United Nations secretary general to explore solutions to increase innovation and access to medicines in developing countries gave a briefing today to explain the process of the initiative. Intellectual property is often seen as both a barrier to the diffusion of health technologies and an innovation enabler.
WHO Report: 45 Million New Jobs In Health Workforce By 2030 01/02/2016 by Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new report from the World Health Organization says there will be 45 million new jobs in the health workforce worldwide by the end of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2030. But most of the new jobs will be created in upper-middle and high-income nations.
Special Feature: Process For 2017 Election Of New WHO Director General 01/02/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The pressures of running the world’s highest profile public health agency in trying times (new outbreaks, mass migration and other challenges, with uncertain funding) could make the job of debatable attractiveness, but rumours in the World Health Organization hallways this week are that many possible candidates are likely to be considered to vie for head of the United Nations agency in Geneva. But the election process itself was just finalised for the changeover to occur in mid-2017, so it is too early to start naming possible candidates. The following is a look at the process leading to the next head of the WHO.
WHO Board Debate: High Prices Sow Seeds Of Fake Medicines In Developing Countries 01/02/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Fake and poor quality medicines are still a growing public health concern particularly in developing countries, according to some World Health Organization members, who said at last week’s WHO Board meeting that the problem comes from the unaffordability of medicines and the lack of a strong surveillance system.
Evaluation Starts On WHO Global Strategy For Public Health, Innovation, IPRs 29/01/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment This morning, World Health Organization Executive Board members took note of a report by the WHO secretariat on the evaluation of the organisation’s global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property. An inception report by the evaluation team was provided to the WHO in December, which has not been shared to the member states, according to the secretariat, although its results are expected to be presented to them in March. In the meantime, key points have been provided.
WHO Discusses Polio, Hepatitis C, Vaccines, Affordability 29/01/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The World Health Organization Executive Board this week noted a number of reports on communicable diseases, such as poliomyelitis, and vaccines. Developing countries underlined the affordability and accessibility of treatments. The board also agreed on the setting up of an open-ended intergovernmental meeting to come to agreement on the organisation’s governance reform.
WHO Members Commit To SDGs For 2030, Despite Some Differences 29/01/2016 by Jahan Harry Taubman-Rezakhanlou for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment During the Executive Board meeting at the World Health Organization this week, member states agreed on committing to the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. The consensus reached by member states was that direct health development goals such as the continuous effort to rid the world of malaria, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C are at the forefront of pressing issues. But goals for health and those for related issues should be worked on together as they are mutually beneficial, they said.
Study, Panel Stimulate Thinking About Public-Private Partnerships 28/01/2016 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A new study released this week in Geneva provides insights into public-private partnerships (PPPs) with a special focus on China and India, while a panel of health experts discussing the report highlighted the importance of such partnerships.
WHO Must Reform Emergency Response, Adopt Unified Mechanism, Advisory Group Says 28/01/2016 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment A report by an advisory group tasked with helping with the reform of the World Health Organization’s response to outbreaks and emergency situations calls for a unified response from all geographical levels of the organisation. The recommendations raised concern from some, but the WHO director general said she sees consensus.