In the wake of surging mpox cases in the DRC and the emergence of novel orthopoxviruses, the US needs to rapidly bolster its smallpox readiness, preparedness, and response, according to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The report brought together experts from across the country to critically evaluate the […] Continue reading ->
The fractious pandemic agreement talks – supposed to end with an agreement on Thursday (28 March) – have limped into extra time, with World Health Organization (WHO) member states resolving to hold an additional intergovernmental negotiating body (INB) meeting from 29 April to 10 May. The World Health Assembly (WHA), which begins on 27 May, […] Continue reading ->
As World Health Organization (WHO) member states bang heads in Geneva over a pandemic agreement to keep the world safe, a group of scientists has challenged global decision-makers to pay far more attention to humans’ relationship with animals. “Although preparedness and response have received significant focus, prevention, especially the prevention of zoonotic spillover, remains largely […] Continue reading ->
Negotiations for a pandemic agreement currently underway in Geneva have made little progress over the past four days, with member states still reading the current revised draft in plenary, and there is now talk of a further meeting in late April. Co-chairs of the process believe that the best way forward is for member states […] Continue reading ->
Pharmaceutical giants could support a formula whereby companies are guaranteed free and immediate access to pathogens with pandemic potential in exchange for binding equity agreements as part of a proposed World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic agreement, says a leading industry figure. The statement by Thomas Cueni, director-general of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers […] Continue reading ->
World Health Organization (WHO) member states abandoned careful diplomatic language at the start of the final round of negotiations for a pandemic agreement on Monday (18 March), exposing deep divisions between countries from the global North and South. An unprecedented 11 African countries spoke during the two-hour opening session, largely expressing support for the latest […] Continue reading ->
Two final – and likely sleepless – weeks of negotiation on the pandemic agreement begin on Monday, and negotiators have been urged to bring in their principals to ensure speed up decision-making. The negotiations may well be extended but, for now, this ninth meeting of the World Health Organization (WHO) intergovernmental negotiating body (INB) is […] Continue reading ->
Many practical questions about how the pandemic agreement will be implemented – including how to finance countries’ pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR) – seem likely to be ceded to the Conference of Parties (COP). According to the latest pandemic agreement draft, a “Coordinating Financial Mechanism” will support the implementation of the pandemic agreement and […] Continue reading ->
The new draft of the pandemic agreement “is a step backwards rather than forwards”, according to Thomas Cueni, Director General of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA). “It is critical that any agreement takes steps to ensure equity in access to medicines and vaccines in future pandemics, whilst preserving the innovation ecosystem […] Continue reading ->
The negotiating text of the pandemic agreement (see below) landed in the inboxes of World Health Organization (WHO) member states last Friday afternoon – 10 days before the penultimate negotiation on 18 March and on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the WHO’s declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic. The 31-page draft was also […] Continue reading ->