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.
US Chamber International IP Index: US, Europe At Top; India Needs A Push 08/02/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United States Chamber of Commerce today released its fifth annual International IP Index, which makes the case for the positive impact of intellectual property on economies. The United States scored highest, followed by top European economies and Japan. And near the bottom was India, despite recent efforts to accept the IP system. Separately, the report assesses international trade rules for IP and argues for nations to negotiate “TRIPS-plus” agreements.
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.
EU Parliament Committee Adopts Report On Increased Medicines Access In Europe 01/02/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment The Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee of the European Parliament has voted to adopt a draft report on measures to increase availability of medicines within the European Union.
WTO Members Celebrate Treaty Amendment On Medicines Access, Look Ahead 30/01/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments A high-level meeting at the World Trade Organization today welcomed in an amendment to international trade rules for intellectual property aimed at boosting exports of affordable medicines. It also set out the way ahead to make it work.
WHO Members Negotiate Resolution On Cancer; High Prices In Question 30/01/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 4 Comments Cancer is spreading. According to the World Health Organization, the number of new cases of cancer is projected to increase to 21.6 million annually by 2030. The WHO Executive Board this week is considering a draft resolution for actions by the WHO member states and the secretariat. The resolution is being discussed and amended as issues such as the affordability and the accessibility of new cancer medicines, in particular in developing countries, are highlighted by many.
WHO Board Agrees To Drop The Word ‘Counterfeit’ After 30 Years 30/01/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments For nearly 30 years, the United Nations World Health Organization has been referring to poor-quality and fake medicines as counterfeit. But that is about to change.
Is Gates Foundation, WHO’s Biggest Private Funder, Ineligible To Join WHO? 29/01/2017 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments As the World Health Organization Board prepares to consider candidate institutions to be admitted into official relations with the organisation, some health and public interest groups are raising alarm at what they see as a seeming lack of safeguard against conflicts of interest. Particular concern has been raised over admitting the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as an observer because of the Foundation trust’s investments in business ventures such as Coca-Cola, which they see as contrary to health goals. But the Gates Foundation, which is the biggest private donor to the WHO, said the trust is a separate entity from the foundation, and therefore does not represent any conflict of interest.
US Army Extends Comment Period On Proposed Exclusive Zika Licence 27/01/2017 by Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The US Army has extended the comment period on the proposed licence to pharmaceutical company Sanofi on technology necessary to create a vaccine for the Zika virus. This is the second extension, and will permit public comments through 10 March 2017.
WHO Director General Candidates Hold Colorful Meeting With The Press 26/01/2017 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The three remaining candidates to be director general of the World Health Organization today met at length with UN journalists in the WHO and highlighted their plans for reform including finding new sources of funding for the continually cash-strapped UN agency that now could face threats from the US president to cut US funding.