A new “Zero+” version of a proposed World Health Organization pandemic accord being negotiated by member states has dropped previously strong language that conditioned use of public R&D funds to private sector commitments to price transparency and tech transfer of end products, among other measures. However, the updated draft text, obtained by Health Policy Watch, still contains ‘optional’ language linking developing countries’ sharing of pathogen information to a guaranteed supply of drugs, vaccines and other health tools that they would access a WHO distribution scheme. While not a formal part of this week’s World Health Assembly (WHA) proceedings, the text drafted by the “Bureau” of six member states guiding the talks is being circulated this week as they prepare for another round of negotiations over the new accord, scheduled by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) 12-16 June. … However, both civil society and pharma appear likely to oppose parts of the updated text – for very different reasons. “The R&D text is much weaker,” said Suerie Moon, director of the Global Health Centre of Geneva Graduate Institute, pointing to Article 9 of the update. “We’ve lost the proposal to put conditions on public funding [of pharma R&D]. … “It’s basically a huge step back from countries wielding the power of the law to regulate, and more reliance on voluntary measures,” said Moon. “There are a lot more references to ‘as appropriate’ – I think the phrase is used some 47 times.”
Health Policy Watch
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