[Ip-health] Lancet editorial: Global strategies need truly global discussions

[Thiru Balasubramaniam]

The Lancet=A02006;=A0368:2034

DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69814-0

Editorial

Global strategies need truly global discussions


It should be an unspoken prerequisite for discussions of any global
strategy that a globally representative selection of discussants takes
part. Too often rich countries strike deals that affect, but do not
involve, poor countries. The populations of these cash-strapped nations
suffer as a result. Global negotiations on intellectual property are a
prime example of this unjust tradition at work. So, if any discussions
were
to break the mould, it should have been WHO's Intergovernmental Working
Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property, which took
place this week (Dec 4=968). Unfortunately, with a delegate list that
excludes more than half of WHO's member states=97a third of the missing
are
classed as Least Developed Countries by the UN=97this working group seems
set
to perpetuate the very problems it has set out to address.


The working group's aim is to start the ball rolling on a global
strategy
to boost research and development of products for diseases that
predominantly affect developing countries. It was set up to take forward
recommendations of the independent but WHO-mandated Commission on
Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation and Public Health, which
produced
its final report in April this year. Some of the Commission's
recommendations urge WHO to take on specific responsibilities: for
example,
establishing the patent status of drugs on the essential medicines list.
But the vast majority of the suggestions depend on developing-country
governments taking the lead.


The Commission calls for =93sensible=94 patenting and licensing policies in
developing countries to ensure context-relevant products are developed.
It
urges every country to focus on strengthening clinical trials and
regulatory frameworks. And, importantly, it makes clear that
developing-country governments must not agree to restrictions of use of
patented data that exceed World Trade Organisation standards, and must
negotiate hard with pharmaceutical manufacturers to ensure drug prices
are
set at an affordable level.


WHO can offer valuable support to help poor countries develop and
enforce
better policies to protect and promote public health while fostering
innovation. But a global strategy to formalise this support will not
work
if WHO cannot bring the necessary players to the discussion table.

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Thiru Balasubramaniam
Geneva Representative
CPTech
voice +41.22.791.6727
fax +41.22.723.2988
mobile +41 76 508 0997
thiru@cptech.org