[Ip-health] HAI Global Statement- Expert Working Group leaks cast doubt on the legitimacy of the process

[Terri - Louise Beswick]

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
--
[ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
HAI Global Statement

Expert Working Group leaks cast doubt

on the legitimacy of the process

16 December 2009 - News that confidential documents from the World Health O=
rganization's Expert Working Group (EWG) on Research & Development financin=
g were leaked to IFPMA, the international pharmaceutical industry associati=
on, casts some doubt on the whole EWG process.

Incredibly, the leaked documents also included IFPMA responses to the EWG d=
raft report and analysis; responses which suggest that industry can take co=
mfort from the fact that many of the recommendations do little to transform=
 the R&D status quo, which protects monopoly markets as the main driver of =
R&D.

Dr. Tim Reed, Director of HAI, commented, "the leak to industry renders the=
 credibility and legitimacy of the EWG process and outcomes, at best, quest=
ionable."

It seems that despite this promising initiative arising from a consensus on=
 the need for change in the R&D framework; some actors in global health pol=
icy are more equal than others. The contributions and expertise drawn from =
a broad range of stakeholders has still not been sufficient to override com=
mercial interests and prompt positive changes in the way that new medicines=
 are researched and developed.

If EWG is to fulfil its purpose and produce the practicable and sustainable=
 ideas that will meet the R&D needs of low- and middle-income countries, th=
en we must feel confident that those ideas are based on merit.

The HAI Global network campaigns to ensure that policies governing medicine=
s and public health are the result of transparent, democratic, and inclusiv=
e decision-making processes.

Health Action International (Global)



For more information, please contact Communications officer, Terri Beswick =
at terri@haiweb.org <mailto:terri@haiweb.org>



Health Action International (HAI) is an independent, global network, workin=
g to increase access to essential medicines and improve their rational use =
through research excellence and evidence-based advocacy