[A2k] Fwd: Avian Flu, Vaccines & Benefit Sharing meeting in Geneva (20-23 November 2007)

[Sangeeta Shashikant]

The Inter-Governmental Meeting (IGM) on Pandemic Influenza
Preparedness:sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and
other benefits will be meeting in Geneva (Executive Board Room) from the
20th - 23rd November 2007.

See Official link at http://www.who.int/gb/pip/

The meeting is open to accredited NGOs and the usual procedures for
registration to WHO meetings apply.

The IGM is a result of WHA 60.28 adopted by WHO Members this year.
WHA 60.28 is available at
http://www.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA60/A60_R28-en.pdf

The Resolution was adopted as a result of draft resolution co-sponsored by
over 20 countries calling on WHO to have fair and equitable benefit
sharing arising from the use of influenza viruses.

The IGM will discuss:

(1) Director-General's report on benefit sharing
(2) Standard Terms and Conditions for virus sharing, Terms of Reference of
WHO designated labs and Oversight Mechanism
(3) Expert report commissioned by WHO on Patents, Influenza viruses and
genes
(4) Issues of stockpiling including guidelines for distribution in the
event of a pandemic.

Several developing countries have sharing influenza viruses including
H5N1 viruses with WHO designated labs based in US, Aust. UK, and Japan.
These viruses were shared outside the network with companies for the
development of vaccines, without permission from the originating country,
in violation of WHO's own 2005 guidance that does not allow the sharing of
viruses outside the network unless with the permission of the country
providing the viruses is obtained

Several of these viruses were used in vaccines which are then sold at high
prices to developing countries which definitely cannot afford these
vaccines. These limited vaccines are also patented companies and
stockpiled by several developed countries in preparation for a pandemic.

It is also found that several patent applications have also been filed on
the influenza viruses and its most valuable parts, i.e. its genes and
sequences. One patent applicant it appears is a WHO lab.

On this several articles have been published

-No clear outcomes in WHO meeting on avian flu virus sharing
-Civil society calls for fair framework for sharing of virus samples as
well as vaccines
-WHA avian flu decision links sharing of virus and benefits
-Texts on virus sharing, IP and public health adopted at WHA
-WHO shaken up by delegates' criticisms on IPR issues
-WHO admits patents taken on avian flu virus
-Developing countries call for new flu virus sharing system
-Developing countries look to WHA for solution to flu virus issue
-Winners and losers in the sharing of avian flu viruses
-"Sharing" of avian flu virus to be a major issue at WHA
-Indonesia to share bird-flu samples only if there is new system
-Indonesia's move on bird flu samples highlights key access issues

All of these are also available at
http://www.twnside.org.sg/avian.flu_main.htm

The meeting will discuss issues similar to the IGWG i.e. innovation and
access i.e. No R&D in the south because no market for influenza vaccines,
vaccines are very expensive, misappropriation of biological resources from
developing countries without benefit sharing, increasing access of
developing countries to tools (some patented and some not) needed for R&D
e.g. technology etc; the problem of patents on upstream research ie.
Patents on genes/sequences and how it hampers R&D.

Best Wishes
Sangeeta Shashikant
email: ssangeeta@myjaring.net for more information



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