# \[e-drug\] KEI, MSF & OXFAM Patent pool symposium at IAC Mexico on 5 August 2008 **URL:** \ **Category:** e-drug\ **Created:** [July 28, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/e-drug-kei-msf-oxfam-patent-pool-symposium-at-iac-mexico-on-5-august-2008/30290 "2008-07-28T14:19:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mai.do](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85e7bf/32.png) [@mai.do](https://talk.edrugplus.org/u/mai.do)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://talk.edrugplus.org/t/e-drug-kei-msf-oxfam-patent-pool-symposium-at-iac-mexico-on-5-august-2008/30290/1 "2008-07-28T14:19:37Z")
E-DRUG: Patent Pool workshop at Mexico AIDS Conference ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [The International AIDS Conference is this year in Mexico. From the thousands of workshops, here is an important one for the future access to medicines: a discussion with UNITAID as to how patent pools can help increase access. You have to get up early, though: it starts at 0700 AM! WB] Satellite Session Tuesday, 5 August 2008. 7.00 8.30 AM XVII International AIDS Conference Banamex Center, Mexico City Skills Building Room 9                             Taking the Plunge          How the UNITAID Patent Pool Could Help Increase Access to                     Newer ARVs and Stimulate Innovation      Organized by Knowledge Ecology International (KEI), Medecins Sans    Frontieres (MSF) Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines and OXFAM The recent groundbreaking decision taken by UNITAIDs board to in principle establish a patent pool could hold the key to future access to affordable newer ARVs. A patent pool is a mechanism whereby a number of patents held by different entities are made available to other interested parties for production or further development. The patent holders in return receive royalties paid by those using the patents. The pool manages the licenses, patent negotiations, and royalty payments, which streamlines the process. A patent pool could facilitate, for example, the development of pediatric formulations or much-needed fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) for less toxic first-line, and for second-line treatments, for which patents on individual compounds otherwise pose a barrier. It could also help speed up the availability of generic versions of new medicines, as production could begin well before the 20-year patent terms expire. Critical to a patent pools success, however, is the willingness of the patent holders to include their patent rights in the pool. This session will provide a briefing on the UNITAID patent pool, explore the pros and cons of patent pools and will be followed by a discussion. Speakers will include representatives from the pharmaceutical industry, UNITAID, and NGOs. Speakers: Chair: Dr. Sigrun Mgedal, Ambassador for HIV/AIDS, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway Dr. Jorge Bermudez, International Secretary, UNITAID James Love, Director, Knowledge Ecology International Gregg H. Alton, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Gilead Ellen t Hoen, Director Policy Advocacy, Mdecins Sans Frontires Dr. Mohga Kamal-Yanni, Senior health and HIV policy advisor, OXFAM GB