US, China Weaving Closer Trade and IP Cooperation; Focus On Innovation 01/06/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments The United States and China are strengthening their relationship on innovation and intellectual property rights as the global economy is slowly taking an upward turn. Those may come as signs of positive collaboration on the delicate issue of IP rights in the face of ongoing questions by US industry and government about the impact of China’s IP rights infringement on American jobs.
New Resolution Gives Governments Control Of WHO Work On False Medicines 21/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 5 Comments After an at times bitter week-long debate on the issue of fake and poor quality drugs, member states have decided they will lead the World Health Organization forward towards a resolution on the issue.
WHO: No Evidence Of Misleading On Counterfeit Medicines 20/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments There is no evidence that the work of the World Health Organization has been misled or misled its members on the issue of fake or dangerous drugs, representatives of the UN organisation told journalists today. Nor is the WHO yet ready to drop use of the term ‘counterfeit’ to describe such medicines despite generic producing nations complaints about possible confusion over the term.
Debate Erupts Over WHO Police Work Against “Counterfeit” Drugs Trade 20/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 6 Comments A battle broke out yesterday at the World Health Organization over whether it should continue its relationship with an in-house anti-counterfeiting law enforcement and customs group, and what that decision might mean for the role of the organisation in the fight against fake medicines.
Proposals At WHO Would Boost Drug Safety, Replace Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce 18/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Discussion at the annual World Health Assembly on counterfeit medicines may prove lively as stakeholders continue to raise concerns that the term “counterfeit” will confuse protecting patients from unsafe drugs with protecting trademarks from infringement. And an industry-led event in the lead-up to the WHA said counterfeit medicines pose great risks and will require a coordinated international response.
Advocates Back WHO Resolution On Chagas With Access To Diagnosis, Treatment 18/05/2010 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Two groups this week are urging the World Health Assembly to address access to diagnosis, treatment and new drugs, for a tropical disease that is the leading parasitic killer in the Americas. At a side event on the first day of the assembly, civil society actors also expressed concern about the shrinking input of civil society in the annual WHO members’ meeting.
Developing Countries Blast WHO Report On IP, Demand “Credible” Approach 18/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch and William New 5 Comments A critical report on financing research and development of medicines for the world’s poorest was created without transparency, failed to live up to its mandate, and did not address the potential threat that intellectual property rights can pose to access to drugs, developing countries said today at the World Health Assembly. A proposal by a group of Latin American countries for a new intergovernmental working group was not accepted by developed countries and others and quick informal consultations began to work out differences before the end of the assembly this week.
Chan Urges Innovation, Defends WHO Flu Response As New Group Approved 18/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan opened the annual World Health Assembly today with a welcome of the transparency in the “most closely watched pandemic in history,” and how the drive to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals would unleash a “host of innovations for improving health, especially among the poorest,” adding a call for vaccines as one of the “best life-saving buys on offer.”
Counterfeit Medicines In WTO Dispute Process, Heating Up At WHO 12/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 3 Comments The international policy debate over counterfeit medicines and legitimate generics escalated today. Brazil and India took the first step in the World Trade Organization dispute settlement process for treatment of generics medicines falsely labelled counterfeit in Europe, and non-governmental organisations from both sides of the issue issued new releases stating their positions on the issues at the neighbouring World Health Organization.
Biotechnology Consultant To Lead WIPO Global Challenges Division 12/05/2010 by Kaitlin Mara for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A leader for the World Intellectual Property Organization Global Challenges Division – tasked with connecting intellectual property to critical issues such as public health, food security, and climate change – has been named more than a year and a half after the division’s creation.