E-drug: News at the 53rd WHA
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Dear Friends,
The 53rd World Health Assembly is now in full force. Below is a summary of
the news involving drug policy.
HIV/AIDS resolution (EB105.R17)
Today it is expected that the delegates will begin debate on the HIV/AIDS
resolution. Members of the Consumers International delegation (including
Health Action International, Medecins Sans Frontieres, and Consumer Project
on Technology) and public participants from the AIDS activist group ACT UP
are speaking with delegates about the resolution. (You can find the full
text at WHO's website under governance and documentation for the 53rd
Assembly.) In addition to the proposed text, we are gathering support for a
new amendment that says the following:
Request the DG:
- To determine the best price that could be obtained for a treatment regime
for HIV/AIDS of acceptable quality, and advise on the management, legal,
and
regulatory issues that need to be addressed to obtain medicines at this
price.
- In 2.(11) delete the wording 'at their request'
New Resolution on the RDS
On the opening day of the Assembly, the Brazilian delegation circulated a
new resolution on the Revised Drug Strategy. This document has not yet been
officially submitted for consideration, but we support it for the following
reasons:
- The resolution affirms the need for WHO leadership in this period of
rapid
globalisation which has an effect on access to medicines.
- The resolution provides concrete direction to the WHO for effective
implementation of the RDS and further strengthens the previous resolutions.
- The resolution calls for the creation of an international monitoring and
communication system for drug prices, managed in collaboration with WHO and
member states. This would improve access to medicines through price
transparency.
- In the current context of possible HIV drug price reductions announced on
May 12 by UNAIDS, it is essential to draw attention to the crucial role
generic drugs play in access to medicines. Generic competition is a proven
strategy to dramatically reduce drug prices and increase access to
medicines. Promoting generic production will also encourage technology
transfer and enhance local pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity in
developing countries.
We will continue to update you on the debate as the week progresses.
You can contact members of the team by e-mail at the address given below:
Lisa_at_WHA@hotmail.com
With best wishes,
Lisa Hayes
Communications Director
HAI Europe
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