Following the South African government's recent approval of a new intellectual property policy that includes elements aimed at preserving access to medical products that are increasing in popularity among developing countries, the research-based pharmaceutical industry had a few general comments. The message: the policy incorporates some of their concerns but is wrong on "evergreening" patents, and could harm industry, which is "the goose that lays the golden egg." Continue reading ->
The World Health Organization will hold a closed workshop with the Convention on Biological Diversity next week on the sharing of pathogens under the international rules on access and benefit sharing to genetic resources of the Nagoya Protocol. Continue reading ->
A hundred years ago, the Spanish flu infected a third of the world population, and killed more people than the two world wars combined. The World Health Organization is seeking to help the world prepare for the next pandemic, which they say, is only waiting to happen. The recent World Health Assembly agreed to ask the WHO to complete an analysis on the implications of including seasonal influenza virus and pandemic virus genetic information into its benefit-sharing mechanism to help the world face the next influenza pandemic. Separately, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) issued a study on how to handle virus genetic information, and voiced preference for publicly accessible databases for sharing this information, rather than public domain databases, as the latter raise issue of traceability of the information from originators and also from users. And a WHO official issued a call for WHO member states to become involved in activities of the CBD's Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit-sharing to ensure health priorities are put before environmental priorities on genetic resources. Continue reading ->
Health Policy Watch, www.healthpolicy-watch.org, is seeking a dynamic journalist to lead our reporting on global health policy issues in Geneva and beyond. The writer will form part of a small, dynamic team committed to providing top-quality, independent, professional reporting to our audience. Continue reading ->
The recent World Health Assembly approved resolutions concerning the eradication and containment of polio, and how to deal with the transition to a polio-free world. The following is a report from the discussions during the Assembly. Continue reading ->
The Médecins Sans Frontières’ (MSF, Doctors Without Borders) Access Campaign today announced that Gaëlle Krikorian has been named its new Head of Policy. Continue reading ->
A report by a World Health Organization Independent High-Level Commission released today proposed six bold recommendations to address the global epidemic in chronic diseases - especially in poor nations - and strongly urged governments to take the lead in creating health protecting environments through robust laws, dialogue, clear objectives, transparency and agreed targets. Continue reading ->
Alongside the annual World Health Assembly last week, an event brought experts together to discuss how the attainment of universal health coverage (UHC) can lead to growth and development of the economy. Continue reading ->
Goal 3 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” Around the world, there are still children that experience malnutrition leading to stunting, low birth weight, overweight and wasting. Also, there are children who are less breastfed and mothers with anaemia. But countries at the annual World Health Assembly (WHA) last week agreed to continue work towards improving maternal, infant and young child nutrition as well as put an end to all forms of malnutrition by 2030. Continue reading ->
Some 90 percent of people in the world who need assistive technology – such as glasses, walkers, or hearing aids - cannot access it, with the worst deficiency in developing countries. Today, World Health Organization members agreed on a resolution to improve access to those technologies, with overwhelming support. The WHO is instructed to provide support to countries and prepare a global report by 2021. Member states are requested to promote innovation and find ways to reduce prices. Continue reading ->