[Ip-health] WHO press release on the passage of the HIV/AIDS resolution

[thiru@cptech.org]

Here is an excerpt from the May 22nd WHO press release on the 57th World
Health Assembly.  This particular portion describes the passage of the
HIV/AIDS resolution on Friday evening in Geneva. A significant new
development on Friday, and as reflected in the final text, was the
inclusion of language which called on Member States entering into
bilateral trade agreements to take into account the public health
flexibilities afforded to them under the TRIPS Agreement and the Doha
Ministerial Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health.  This
language was introduced by Brazil, on behalf of GRULAC, the Latin American
and Caribbean Group.

Another positive aspect of this resolution was language which called for
the strengthening of the WHO prequalification project.

The final text of the resolution has not yet been posted online on the WHO
website.

Thirukumaran Balasubramaniam
Consumer Project on Technology
Geneva

----------


http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2004/wha4/en/

-----------

<SNIP>

The Assembly welcomed the Director-General's "3 by 5 strategy" to support
developing countries in their response to HIV/AIDS by increasing access to
prevention, care and treatment and securing access to antiretroviral
treatment for three million people living with HIV/AIDS by the end of
2005. The Assembly confirmed WHO's leading role in supporting countries in
delivering prevention, care, support and treatment for HIV/AIDS within
strengthened national health systems. Member States urged the
Director-General to improve the access of developing countries to
antiretroviral medicines and other products used in the diagnosis,
treatment and care of HIV/AIDS, including by strengthening the WHO
prequalification project. WHO should also help countries strengthen their
supply chain management and procurement of good quality products. The
resolution also encouraged countries entering into bilateral trade
agreements to take into account the flexibilities relating to public
health as laid down in TRIPS agreement of the World Trade Organization and
the Doha Ministerial Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health.