TWN Info Service on Intellectual Property Issues
Third World Network
http://www.twnside.org.sg
WHO Working Group on IPR and innovation finishes week of work, to meet again in April 2008
Published in SUNS #6364 dated 13 November 2007
By Riaz K. Tayob (Third World Network)
Geneva, 11 Nov 2007
Member governments of the World Health Organization ended Saturday a week of intensive negotiations on a global strategy and plan of action to improve access to health care in developing countries, in particular, health research and development on diseases disproportionately affecting developing countries.
The negotiations at the WHO Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights, chaired by Peter Oldham of Canada, were suspended on 10 November evening to resume again at a meeting tentatively set for 28 April to 3 May 2008. The dates are to be confirmed by the bureau of the IGWG.
At the six-day talks, the negotiators are reported to have made some progress in a few areas, but with considerable and difficult negotiations ahead to agree and draw up "a global strategy and plan of action" to provide a medium framework based on the recommendations of the WHO Commission on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights. The strategy and plan of action are to aim at among others an enhanced and sustainable basis for essential health research and development on diseases that disproportionately affect developing countries. Clear objectives and priorities for research and development in this area are to be set, and funding needs estimated.
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Martin Khor
mailto:mkhor@igc.org