[Ip-health] Medecins Sans Frontieres Statement at the close of the 61st World Health Assembly

[Clio.VAN.CAUTER@geneva.msf.org]

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MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES (MSF) STATEMENT=0D
AT THE CLOSE OF THE 61st WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY=0D
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Geneva =E2=80=93 24th May 2008  - Governments have concluded negotiations a=
s a part=0D
of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and=0D
Intellectual Property (IGWG) on a Global Strategy and Plan of Action.  A=0D
Resolution was adopted by WHO Member States calling for the creation of an=
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expert working group to examine proposals for new and innovative sources of=
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funding to stimulate R&D to address developing country health needs.=0D
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=E2=80=9CWhat is encouraging is that governments have clearly called for th=
e WHO to=0D
play a strategic and central role in intellectual property,=E2=80=9D said D=
r. Tido=0D
von Schoen-Angerer, Director of MSF=E2=80=99s Access to Essential Medicines=
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Campaign.  =E2=80=9CCountries have pledged to give health interests the=0D
pre-eminence they deserve when considering how to manage IP.=E2=80=9D=0D
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=E2=80=9CWe expected the IGWG to start delivering solutions for R&D into de=
veloping=0D
country diseases,=E2=80=9D said Dr. von Schoen-Angerer. =E2=80=9CWe need mo=
re money for=0D
R&D, but money is not the only answer - we also need new models for=0D
incentivising the R&D and ensuring access to new drugs and diagnostics.=E2=
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=E2=80=9CSome important steps in the right direction have been made.  The e=
xpert=0D
working group now needs to take serious steps to move forward with a set of=
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practical proposals that are on the table.  It needs to take on more=0D
ambitious proposals to change the way essential health R&D is financed,=0D
including for example through the creation of prize fund to boost the=0D
development of tuberculosis diagnostics.=E2=80=9D=0D
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For further information and to arrange interviews, please contact=0D
Ms. Clio Van Cauter, MSF: +41 78 7472 900=0D
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Clio Van Cauter=0D
Campaigner/Communications Officer=0D
Medecins Sans Frontieres=0D
Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines=0D
Rue de Lausanne 78=0D
1201 Geneva=0D
Switzerland=0D
Tel:+41 22 849 8403=0D
E-mail: clio.van.cauter@geneva.msf.org=0D
www.accessmed-msf.org=0D