Fair Pricing – Striking The Balance 10/05/2019 Editorial team Thomas Cueni, director general of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations, shared his view on fair pricing with Health Policy Watch: “Most of us can probably agree that innovation is meaningless if it does not reach patients. At the same time, a Fair Price must strike a balance between a price that is […] Continue reading -> Several Developed Countries Want To “Derail” Transparency Resolution – Civil Society Groups Say 10/05/2019 David Branigan More than 100 civil society organisations and health experts signed on to an open letter yesterday calling out Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the UK and Australia, along with Austria and the United States, as wanting to “derail” and “weaken” the transparency resolution on drug prices and R&D costs. Image Credits: CDDEP. Continue reading -> WHA 2019 Top Issues: Budget, UHC, Access To Medicines, Emergencies, Environment 09/05/2019 William New This year’s World Health Assembly will provide perhaps the best measure to date of the World Health Organization director-general’s policies since taking office nearly two years ago. But it will also reflect changing times for country relationships and for the state of global health. Image Credits: Photo: WHO/Antoine Tardy, WHO/Antoine Tardy, WHO, WHO/J. D. Kannah. Continue reading -> New Text Of Italian Transparency Proposal Shows North-South Divide Emerging 08/05/2019 David Branigan A new draft text from an informal consultation at the World Health Organization yesterday shows a North-South divide emerging as member states made changes to the proposed resolution on the transparency of drug prices and the costs of research and development (R&D), brought forward by Italy earlier this year, that is slated for discussion at […] Continue reading -> Group Of Developed Countries Seek To Delay Italian Proposal On Drug Price Transparency 07/05/2019 William New A number of developed countries are working to delay a landmark proposal at the World Health Organization by Italy to increase transparency of drug prices and R&D costs in an effort to make medicines more affordable, according to sources. The Italian proposal has garnered a number of supporters, including within Europe; but at an informal WHO consultation today and last week at the European Union, countries such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have begun pushing for postponement of discussions, sources said. [Now updated with new version of proposal!] Continue reading -> New Polio Eradication Strategy Faces Challenges Of “Missing Children” Due To Geographic Isolation, Migration, Insecurity 03/05/2019 David Branigan The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) this week launched its new five-year strategy that aims to overcome final hurdles in eradicating polio transmission. However, remaining pockets of transmission in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria pose challenges of geographic isolation, migration and insecurity, leading to “missing children” in polio vaccination efforts. Image Credits: Jean-Marc Giboux, GPEI. Continue reading -> WHO Report On Cancer Medicines Pricing: Detailed Info On Findings 02/05/2019 David Branigan The World Health Organization held an information session with member states and non-state actors last week to present the detailed findings of its 2018 report on cancer medicines pricing. It then posted the 72 detailed slides from the information session on its website. Image Credits: WHO. Continue reading -> Revise Biosimilar Guidelines, Scientists Demand; WHO Says Not Now 25/04/2019 William New Scientists from a range of countries are calling for an update to World Health Organization guidelines on biosimilar products in order to help national authorities better implement policies to make biosimilars less costly. Current guidelines are outdated and are being misused, they say. But a WHO official told Health Policy Watch the guidelines document should not be made “over-prescriptive”, and that a thorough assessment by an expert group last year found a revision unnecessary but will keep considering it. Continue reading -> WHO-led Fair Pricing Forum Gathers Diverse Groups To Improve Drug Access 11/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A diverse group of civil society, industry and government representatives convened today at the WHO-led 2nd Fair Pricing Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the quest for new solutions that can unlock people’s access to desperately needed drugs at more affordable prices. Image Credits: Allison Colbert, Yannis Natsis. Continue reading -> Using Policy Levers To Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption 05/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The global health organisation Vital Strategies has become a leading actor in the worldwide battle against obesity, which affects 2 billion people globally. Building on its tradition of working to cut tobacco consumption and traffic injuries, the organisation tackled sugary drink consumption as a flagship issue for policy change. While the famous 2013 “soda ban” […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Several Developed Countries Want To “Derail” Transparency Resolution – Civil Society Groups Say 10/05/2019 David Branigan More than 100 civil society organisations and health experts signed on to an open letter yesterday calling out Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the UK and Australia, along with Austria and the United States, as wanting to “derail” and “weaken” the transparency resolution on drug prices and R&D costs. Image Credits: CDDEP. Continue reading -> WHA 2019 Top Issues: Budget, UHC, Access To Medicines, Emergencies, Environment 09/05/2019 William New This year’s World Health Assembly will provide perhaps the best measure to date of the World Health Organization director-general’s policies since taking office nearly two years ago. But it will also reflect changing times for country relationships and for the state of global health. Image Credits: Photo: WHO/Antoine Tardy, WHO/Antoine Tardy, WHO, WHO/J. D. Kannah. Continue reading -> New Text Of Italian Transparency Proposal Shows North-South Divide Emerging 08/05/2019 David Branigan A new draft text from an informal consultation at the World Health Organization yesterday shows a North-South divide emerging as member states made changes to the proposed resolution on the transparency of drug prices and the costs of research and development (R&D), brought forward by Italy earlier this year, that is slated for discussion at […] Continue reading -> Group Of Developed Countries Seek To Delay Italian Proposal On Drug Price Transparency 07/05/2019 William New A number of developed countries are working to delay a landmark proposal at the World Health Organization by Italy to increase transparency of drug prices and R&D costs in an effort to make medicines more affordable, according to sources. The Italian proposal has garnered a number of supporters, including within Europe; but at an informal WHO consultation today and last week at the European Union, countries such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have begun pushing for postponement of discussions, sources said. [Now updated with new version of proposal!] Continue reading -> New Polio Eradication Strategy Faces Challenges Of “Missing Children” Due To Geographic Isolation, Migration, Insecurity 03/05/2019 David Branigan The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) this week launched its new five-year strategy that aims to overcome final hurdles in eradicating polio transmission. However, remaining pockets of transmission in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria pose challenges of geographic isolation, migration and insecurity, leading to “missing children” in polio vaccination efforts. Image Credits: Jean-Marc Giboux, GPEI. Continue reading -> WHO Report On Cancer Medicines Pricing: Detailed Info On Findings 02/05/2019 David Branigan The World Health Organization held an information session with member states and non-state actors last week to present the detailed findings of its 2018 report on cancer medicines pricing. It then posted the 72 detailed slides from the information session on its website. Image Credits: WHO. Continue reading -> Revise Biosimilar Guidelines, Scientists Demand; WHO Says Not Now 25/04/2019 William New Scientists from a range of countries are calling for an update to World Health Organization guidelines on biosimilar products in order to help national authorities better implement policies to make biosimilars less costly. Current guidelines are outdated and are being misused, they say. But a WHO official told Health Policy Watch the guidelines document should not be made “over-prescriptive”, and that a thorough assessment by an expert group last year found a revision unnecessary but will keep considering it. Continue reading -> WHO-led Fair Pricing Forum Gathers Diverse Groups To Improve Drug Access 11/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A diverse group of civil society, industry and government representatives convened today at the WHO-led 2nd Fair Pricing Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the quest for new solutions that can unlock people’s access to desperately needed drugs at more affordable prices. Image Credits: Allison Colbert, Yannis Natsis. Continue reading -> Using Policy Levers To Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption 05/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The global health organisation Vital Strategies has become a leading actor in the worldwide battle against obesity, which affects 2 billion people globally. Building on its tradition of working to cut tobacco consumption and traffic injuries, the organisation tackled sugary drink consumption as a flagship issue for policy change. While the famous 2013 “soda ban” […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
WHA 2019 Top Issues: Budget, UHC, Access To Medicines, Emergencies, Environment 09/05/2019 William New This year’s World Health Assembly will provide perhaps the best measure to date of the World Health Organization director-general’s policies since taking office nearly two years ago. But it will also reflect changing times for country relationships and for the state of global health. Image Credits: Photo: WHO/Antoine Tardy, WHO/Antoine Tardy, WHO, WHO/J. D. Kannah. Continue reading -> New Text Of Italian Transparency Proposal Shows North-South Divide Emerging 08/05/2019 David Branigan A new draft text from an informal consultation at the World Health Organization yesterday shows a North-South divide emerging as member states made changes to the proposed resolution on the transparency of drug prices and the costs of research and development (R&D), brought forward by Italy earlier this year, that is slated for discussion at […] Continue reading -> Group Of Developed Countries Seek To Delay Italian Proposal On Drug Price Transparency 07/05/2019 William New A number of developed countries are working to delay a landmark proposal at the World Health Organization by Italy to increase transparency of drug prices and R&D costs in an effort to make medicines more affordable, according to sources. The Italian proposal has garnered a number of supporters, including within Europe; but at an informal WHO consultation today and last week at the European Union, countries such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have begun pushing for postponement of discussions, sources said. [Now updated with new version of proposal!] Continue reading -> New Polio Eradication Strategy Faces Challenges Of “Missing Children” Due To Geographic Isolation, Migration, Insecurity 03/05/2019 David Branigan The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) this week launched its new five-year strategy that aims to overcome final hurdles in eradicating polio transmission. However, remaining pockets of transmission in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria pose challenges of geographic isolation, migration and insecurity, leading to “missing children” in polio vaccination efforts. Image Credits: Jean-Marc Giboux, GPEI. Continue reading -> WHO Report On Cancer Medicines Pricing: Detailed Info On Findings 02/05/2019 David Branigan The World Health Organization held an information session with member states and non-state actors last week to present the detailed findings of its 2018 report on cancer medicines pricing. It then posted the 72 detailed slides from the information session on its website. Image Credits: WHO. Continue reading -> Revise Biosimilar Guidelines, Scientists Demand; WHO Says Not Now 25/04/2019 William New Scientists from a range of countries are calling for an update to World Health Organization guidelines on biosimilar products in order to help national authorities better implement policies to make biosimilars less costly. Current guidelines are outdated and are being misused, they say. But a WHO official told Health Policy Watch the guidelines document should not be made “over-prescriptive”, and that a thorough assessment by an expert group last year found a revision unnecessary but will keep considering it. Continue reading -> WHO-led Fair Pricing Forum Gathers Diverse Groups To Improve Drug Access 11/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A diverse group of civil society, industry and government representatives convened today at the WHO-led 2nd Fair Pricing Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the quest for new solutions that can unlock people’s access to desperately needed drugs at more affordable prices. Image Credits: Allison Colbert, Yannis Natsis. Continue reading -> Using Policy Levers To Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption 05/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The global health organisation Vital Strategies has become a leading actor in the worldwide battle against obesity, which affects 2 billion people globally. Building on its tradition of working to cut tobacco consumption and traffic injuries, the organisation tackled sugary drink consumption as a flagship issue for policy change. While the famous 2013 “soda ban” […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
New Text Of Italian Transparency Proposal Shows North-South Divide Emerging 08/05/2019 David Branigan A new draft text from an informal consultation at the World Health Organization yesterday shows a North-South divide emerging as member states made changes to the proposed resolution on the transparency of drug prices and the costs of research and development (R&D), brought forward by Italy earlier this year, that is slated for discussion at […] Continue reading -> Group Of Developed Countries Seek To Delay Italian Proposal On Drug Price Transparency 07/05/2019 William New A number of developed countries are working to delay a landmark proposal at the World Health Organization by Italy to increase transparency of drug prices and R&D costs in an effort to make medicines more affordable, according to sources. The Italian proposal has garnered a number of supporters, including within Europe; but at an informal WHO consultation today and last week at the European Union, countries such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have begun pushing for postponement of discussions, sources said. [Now updated with new version of proposal!] Continue reading -> New Polio Eradication Strategy Faces Challenges Of “Missing Children” Due To Geographic Isolation, Migration, Insecurity 03/05/2019 David Branigan The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) this week launched its new five-year strategy that aims to overcome final hurdles in eradicating polio transmission. However, remaining pockets of transmission in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria pose challenges of geographic isolation, migration and insecurity, leading to “missing children” in polio vaccination efforts. Image Credits: Jean-Marc Giboux, GPEI. Continue reading -> WHO Report On Cancer Medicines Pricing: Detailed Info On Findings 02/05/2019 David Branigan The World Health Organization held an information session with member states and non-state actors last week to present the detailed findings of its 2018 report on cancer medicines pricing. It then posted the 72 detailed slides from the information session on its website. Image Credits: WHO. Continue reading -> Revise Biosimilar Guidelines, Scientists Demand; WHO Says Not Now 25/04/2019 William New Scientists from a range of countries are calling for an update to World Health Organization guidelines on biosimilar products in order to help national authorities better implement policies to make biosimilars less costly. Current guidelines are outdated and are being misused, they say. But a WHO official told Health Policy Watch the guidelines document should not be made “over-prescriptive”, and that a thorough assessment by an expert group last year found a revision unnecessary but will keep considering it. Continue reading -> WHO-led Fair Pricing Forum Gathers Diverse Groups To Improve Drug Access 11/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A diverse group of civil society, industry and government representatives convened today at the WHO-led 2nd Fair Pricing Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the quest for new solutions that can unlock people’s access to desperately needed drugs at more affordable prices. Image Credits: Allison Colbert, Yannis Natsis. Continue reading -> Using Policy Levers To Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption 05/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The global health organisation Vital Strategies has become a leading actor in the worldwide battle against obesity, which affects 2 billion people globally. Building on its tradition of working to cut tobacco consumption and traffic injuries, the organisation tackled sugary drink consumption as a flagship issue for policy change. While the famous 2013 “soda ban” […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Group Of Developed Countries Seek To Delay Italian Proposal On Drug Price Transparency 07/05/2019 William New A number of developed countries are working to delay a landmark proposal at the World Health Organization by Italy to increase transparency of drug prices and R&D costs in an effort to make medicines more affordable, according to sources. The Italian proposal has garnered a number of supporters, including within Europe; but at an informal WHO consultation today and last week at the European Union, countries such as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom have begun pushing for postponement of discussions, sources said. [Now updated with new version of proposal!] Continue reading -> New Polio Eradication Strategy Faces Challenges Of “Missing Children” Due To Geographic Isolation, Migration, Insecurity 03/05/2019 David Branigan The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) this week launched its new five-year strategy that aims to overcome final hurdles in eradicating polio transmission. However, remaining pockets of transmission in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria pose challenges of geographic isolation, migration and insecurity, leading to “missing children” in polio vaccination efforts. Image Credits: Jean-Marc Giboux, GPEI. Continue reading -> WHO Report On Cancer Medicines Pricing: Detailed Info On Findings 02/05/2019 David Branigan The World Health Organization held an information session with member states and non-state actors last week to present the detailed findings of its 2018 report on cancer medicines pricing. It then posted the 72 detailed slides from the information session on its website. Image Credits: WHO. Continue reading -> Revise Biosimilar Guidelines, Scientists Demand; WHO Says Not Now 25/04/2019 William New Scientists from a range of countries are calling for an update to World Health Organization guidelines on biosimilar products in order to help national authorities better implement policies to make biosimilars less costly. Current guidelines are outdated and are being misused, they say. But a WHO official told Health Policy Watch the guidelines document should not be made “over-prescriptive”, and that a thorough assessment by an expert group last year found a revision unnecessary but will keep considering it. Continue reading -> WHO-led Fair Pricing Forum Gathers Diverse Groups To Improve Drug Access 11/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A diverse group of civil society, industry and government representatives convened today at the WHO-led 2nd Fair Pricing Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the quest for new solutions that can unlock people’s access to desperately needed drugs at more affordable prices. Image Credits: Allison Colbert, Yannis Natsis. Continue reading -> Using Policy Levers To Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption 05/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The global health organisation Vital Strategies has become a leading actor in the worldwide battle against obesity, which affects 2 billion people globally. Building on its tradition of working to cut tobacco consumption and traffic injuries, the organisation tackled sugary drink consumption as a flagship issue for policy change. While the famous 2013 “soda ban” […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
New Polio Eradication Strategy Faces Challenges Of “Missing Children” Due To Geographic Isolation, Migration, Insecurity 03/05/2019 David Branigan The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) this week launched its new five-year strategy that aims to overcome final hurdles in eradicating polio transmission. However, remaining pockets of transmission in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria pose challenges of geographic isolation, migration and insecurity, leading to “missing children” in polio vaccination efforts. Image Credits: Jean-Marc Giboux, GPEI. Continue reading -> WHO Report On Cancer Medicines Pricing: Detailed Info On Findings 02/05/2019 David Branigan The World Health Organization held an information session with member states and non-state actors last week to present the detailed findings of its 2018 report on cancer medicines pricing. It then posted the 72 detailed slides from the information session on its website. Image Credits: WHO. Continue reading -> Revise Biosimilar Guidelines, Scientists Demand; WHO Says Not Now 25/04/2019 William New Scientists from a range of countries are calling for an update to World Health Organization guidelines on biosimilar products in order to help national authorities better implement policies to make biosimilars less costly. Current guidelines are outdated and are being misused, they say. But a WHO official told Health Policy Watch the guidelines document should not be made “over-prescriptive”, and that a thorough assessment by an expert group last year found a revision unnecessary but will keep considering it. Continue reading -> WHO-led Fair Pricing Forum Gathers Diverse Groups To Improve Drug Access 11/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A diverse group of civil society, industry and government representatives convened today at the WHO-led 2nd Fair Pricing Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the quest for new solutions that can unlock people’s access to desperately needed drugs at more affordable prices. Image Credits: Allison Colbert, Yannis Natsis. Continue reading -> Using Policy Levers To Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption 05/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The global health organisation Vital Strategies has become a leading actor in the worldwide battle against obesity, which affects 2 billion people globally. Building on its tradition of working to cut tobacco consumption and traffic injuries, the organisation tackled sugary drink consumption as a flagship issue for policy change. While the famous 2013 “soda ban” […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
WHO Report On Cancer Medicines Pricing: Detailed Info On Findings 02/05/2019 David Branigan The World Health Organization held an information session with member states and non-state actors last week to present the detailed findings of its 2018 report on cancer medicines pricing. It then posted the 72 detailed slides from the information session on its website. Image Credits: WHO. Continue reading -> Revise Biosimilar Guidelines, Scientists Demand; WHO Says Not Now 25/04/2019 William New Scientists from a range of countries are calling for an update to World Health Organization guidelines on biosimilar products in order to help national authorities better implement policies to make biosimilars less costly. Current guidelines are outdated and are being misused, they say. But a WHO official told Health Policy Watch the guidelines document should not be made “over-prescriptive”, and that a thorough assessment by an expert group last year found a revision unnecessary but will keep considering it. Continue reading -> WHO-led Fair Pricing Forum Gathers Diverse Groups To Improve Drug Access 11/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A diverse group of civil society, industry and government representatives convened today at the WHO-led 2nd Fair Pricing Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the quest for new solutions that can unlock people’s access to desperately needed drugs at more affordable prices. Image Credits: Allison Colbert, Yannis Natsis. Continue reading -> Using Policy Levers To Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption 05/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The global health organisation Vital Strategies has become a leading actor in the worldwide battle against obesity, which affects 2 billion people globally. Building on its tradition of working to cut tobacco consumption and traffic injuries, the organisation tackled sugary drink consumption as a flagship issue for policy change. While the famous 2013 “soda ban” […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Revise Biosimilar Guidelines, Scientists Demand; WHO Says Not Now 25/04/2019 William New Scientists from a range of countries are calling for an update to World Health Organization guidelines on biosimilar products in order to help national authorities better implement policies to make biosimilars less costly. Current guidelines are outdated and are being misused, they say. But a WHO official told Health Policy Watch the guidelines document should not be made “over-prescriptive”, and that a thorough assessment by an expert group last year found a revision unnecessary but will keep considering it. Continue reading -> WHO-led Fair Pricing Forum Gathers Diverse Groups To Improve Drug Access 11/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A diverse group of civil society, industry and government representatives convened today at the WHO-led 2nd Fair Pricing Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the quest for new solutions that can unlock people’s access to desperately needed drugs at more affordable prices. Image Credits: Allison Colbert, Yannis Natsis. Continue reading -> Using Policy Levers To Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption 05/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The global health organisation Vital Strategies has become a leading actor in the worldwide battle against obesity, which affects 2 billion people globally. Building on its tradition of working to cut tobacco consumption and traffic injuries, the organisation tackled sugary drink consumption as a flagship issue for policy change. While the famous 2013 “soda ban” […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
WHO-led Fair Pricing Forum Gathers Diverse Groups To Improve Drug Access 11/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher A diverse group of civil society, industry and government representatives convened today at the WHO-led 2nd Fair Pricing Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa, in the quest for new solutions that can unlock people’s access to desperately needed drugs at more affordable prices. Image Credits: Allison Colbert, Yannis Natsis. Continue reading -> Using Policy Levers To Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption 05/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The global health organisation Vital Strategies has become a leading actor in the worldwide battle against obesity, which affects 2 billion people globally. Building on its tradition of working to cut tobacco consumption and traffic injuries, the organisation tackled sugary drink consumption as a flagship issue for policy change. While the famous 2013 “soda ban” […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts
Using Policy Levers To Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption 05/04/2019 Elaine Ruth Fletcher The global health organisation Vital Strategies has become a leading actor in the worldwide battle against obesity, which affects 2 billion people globally. Building on its tradition of working to cut tobacco consumption and traffic injuries, the organisation tackled sugary drink consumption as a flagship issue for policy change. While the famous 2013 “soda ban” […] Continue reading -> Posts navigation Older postsNewer posts