A2M (Access to health technologies)

Technology transfer, intellectual property and the fight for the soul of WHO

dlegge — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 04:20:17 +0000

Technology transfer, intellectual property and the fight for the soul of WHO

05 December 2024

dlegge Sat, 14/12/2024 - 15:20

Author/s

Melissa Barber

PLOS Global Public Health

Technology transfer, intellectual property and the fight for the soul of WHO

Debates over the scope, terms, and governance of technology transfer–the sharing of essential technical information, know-how, and materials needed to manufacture a health product–are prominent and controversial in international health diplomacy. These debates have become focal points in recent contentious negotiations to amend the international Health Regulations (IHR) and draft a global Pandemic Agreement. While some countries advocate for automatic or compulsory mechanisms to facilitate access to health technologies, especially in times of crisis, others oppose legal frameworks that mandate non-voluntary participation by the pharmaceutical industry. Also at stake are questions of institutional mandate: the United States has amplified calls by industry that pandemic technology transfer
policy should be the domain of the World Trade Organization (WTO) instead of the World Health Organization (WHO). This essay offers a counternarrative to claims that WHO is overstepping its historic role in global governance. Far from being a contemporary development, technology transfer was at the heart of WHO’s work at its founding. WHO’s early failure to secure antibiotic technology transfer in the face of US opposition led to its first major crisis, prompting the withdrawal of several member states. In response, WHO embarked in the 1950s on a visionary programme to establish a global network of non-profit, state-run drug manufacturers and scientists committed to the free exchange of knowledge. This ambitious initiative has been largely forgotten, excluded even from WHO’s self-published
accounts of historical technology transfer work. In the context of ongoing pandemic governance negotiations and the nascent mRNA hub program, remembering the lost vision of global solidarity embodied in WHO’s midcentury technology transfer program offers a glimpse into an alternate path we might still chart, one where access to medicines is not bound by the logic of enforcing scarcity to maximize profit, and the right to health is a global responsibility.

Keywords

A2M (Access to health technologies)

HealthTechnologies

WTO MC13: TRIPS Issues and Technology Transfer

dlegge — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:55:04 +0000

WTO MC13: TRIPS Issues and Technology Transfer

12 February 2024

dlegge Thu, 05/12/2024 - 11:55

Author/s

Viviana Munoz Tellez

Nirmalya Syam

South Centre

WTO MC13: TRIPS Issues and Technology Transfer

This Policy Brief discusses issues concerning trade, intellectual property, and technology transfer that are most relevant for consideration at the 13th ^World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC13) in February 2024 and inclusion in its outcomes.

The following recommendations are proposed:

TRIPS non-violation and situation complaints: MC13 Decision on the scope and modalities of non-violation and situation complaints under the Agreement on Trade related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). A second option is to extend the moratorium.
TRIPS, diagnostics and therapeutics for COVID-19: MC13 Decision that extends the MC12 TRIPS waiver Decision (only applicable to vaccines) to diagnostics and therapeutics
Relationship between TRIPS and the Convention on Biological Diversity: to be addressed in the MC13 Outcome Document
Follow up to the MC12 Declaration on the WTO Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Preparedness for Future Pandemics: to be addressed in the MC13 Outcome Document
Relationship of trade and technology transfer: include in the MC13 Outcome Document to reinvigorate and give direction to the Working Group on Trade and Technology Transfer (WGTTT) and increase attention in all relevant bodies on how the WTO can promote technology transfer

Review full policy brief here

Keywords

TRIPS

Production (of healthcare products)

A2M (Access to health technologies)

The Africa Group emphasizes that a new WHO pandemic agreement must be founded on equity

dlegge — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:50:52 +0000

The Africa Group emphasizes that a new WHO pandemic agreement must be founded on equity

05 November 2024

dlegge Thu, 05/12/2024 - 11:50

Author/s

South Centre

The Africa Group emphasizes that a new WHO pandemic agreement must be founded o…

Our goal is clear: to craft an agreement of the highest caliber. We envision a treaty that sets new standards in global health governance, one that is more than merely serviceable but truly transformative. To achieve this, the Africa Group insists on elements of equity and solidarity in all its provisions for all people, everywhere. An agreement not based on equity will be a betrayal to 18% of the world population which is not only the poorest, but also with the health systems that are already challenged to cope with pandemics. Therefore, we cannot accept an agreement not founded on equity. This principle must be fundamental to the treaty, ensuring no nation or individual is left behind in our global response to pandemics.

Full statement here

Keywords

PandemicTreaty

A2M (Access to health technologies)

The WHO Pandemic Treaty Negotiations Resume This Week: The Group of Equity highlights priorities

dlegge — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:44:13 +0000

The WHO Pandemic Treaty Negotiations Resume This Week: The Group of Equity highlights priorities

04 November 2024

dlegge Thu, 05/12/2024 - 11:44

Author/s

South Centre

The WHO Pandemic Treaty Negotiations Resume This Week: The Group of Equity high…

The World Health Organization (WHO) has resumed the negotiations for a legally binding international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. The goal is to conclude the negotiations in time for adoption by a special session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) in December 2024, or at the Seventy-eighth WHA in May 2025.

The Group of Equity in the negotiations taking place in an Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) brings together a large number of developing countries.

Click here for the statement delivered by Malaysia on behalf of the Group of Equity at the opening of the 12th session of the INB on 4 November:

Keywords

PandemicTreaty

Pathogen access and benefit sharing (PABS)

A2M (Access to health technologies)

Transfer of Technology: New definition and stronger language needed

dlegge — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:36:17 +0000

Transfer of Technology: New definition and stronger language needed

07 November 2024

dlegge Thu, 05/12/2024 - 11:36

Author/s

Medicines Law & Policy

MLP

Transfer of Technology: New definition and stronger language needed

Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Our comments relate to Article 11, and specifically the definition of technology transfer which should be improved. We refer to our statement from Monday, and emphasise that meaningful technology transfer provisions are essential to what this agreement is meant to achieve. Access to know-how is a critical part of technology transfer, and references to it should remain in the final text.

It might be advisable to use an existing definition of technology transfer as the basis for the new footnote 1(j) under Article 11.

Pandemic treaty must ensure timely access to technology and know-how

dlegge — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:18:43 +0000

Pandemic treaty must ensure timely access to technology and know-how

04 December 2024

dlegge Thu, 05/12/2024 - 11:18

Author/s

Medicines Law & Policy

Pandemic treaty must ensure timely access to technology and know-how

This statement was delivered by Medicines Law & Policy at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB), Session 12 (resumed), 4 December 2024

Thank you, co-chairs. We focus our remarks on issues related to technology transfer. Timely access to technology and relevant know-how is essential to pandemic preparedness and response and equitable access to pandemic products.

Voluntary agreements to achieve this, on mutually agreed terms, were always possible. The reality of Covid-19 however has shown that the will to share IP, technology and know-how by rights holders is very limited. Therefore additional action by governments is necessary and this needs to be reflected in the Agreement.

In this context, a clear statement – known as the peace clause – that parties will not exert any direct or indirect pressure on countries that useTRIPS flexibilities is essential should be included in Article 11.4.

Cataclysmic: The Proposed Dismantling of the Médecins Sans Frontières Access Campaign Strikes At the Heart of Influential Activism, Political-Legal Battles in Global Health At Stake

dlegge — Sat, 06 Jul 2024 06:08:59 +0000

Cataclysmic: The Proposed Dismantling of the Médecins Sans Frontières Access Campaign Strikes At the Heart of Influential Activism, Political-Legal Battles in Global Health At Stake

27 June 2024

dlegge Sat, 06/07/2024 - 16:08

Author/s

Priti Patnaik

ghf

Cataclysmic: The Proposed Dismantling of the Médecins Sans Frontières Access Ca…

In recent days, access to medicines activists in many parts of the world are grappling with developments that have struck at the heart of the movement.

Médecins Sans Frontières, arguably one of the most powerful, influential and well-funded activist organization in the space, has proposed a restructuring its well-regarded and highly admired Access Campaign that currently works all over the world in the most political and challenging settings and one that consistently led and expanded the access to medical products for a range of diseases. MSF has programmes in more than 75 countries across the world.

From ensuring treatments, to challenging patents, from fighting for lower prices of drugs, to working with governments silently to improve health outcomes, the Access Campaign has been at the frontier of not only taking on the might of the pharmaceutical industry, but also making states more accountable.

After 25 years of path-breaking work including contributing to the creation of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), this crucial work of the Access Campaign is now under challenge from its own organization, that seeks to radically downsize existing staff, essentially pulling the plug off sensitive work on multiple fronts that the Access Campaign is deeply involved with, internal sources say.

For this story we spoke to a range of employees including at MSF, and former staffers. We also spoke with others outside the organization who have worked with the Access Campaign over decades and attest to the importance of the team.

Keywords

A2M (Access to health technologies)

Transparency and access to medical products

dlegge — Fri, 05 Jul 2024 03:24:00 +0000

Transparency and access to medical products

01 June 2024

dlegge Fri, 05/07/2024 - 13:24

Author/s

MSF Access

MSF Access Campaign

Progress towards equity in access to medical products can only be built on the …

As an international medical humanitarian organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) witnesses daily the gaps in access to lifesaving medical products, such as vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics, that are needed to address the health needs of people suffering in humanitarian and medical crises. These gaps have deadly consequences.

Each time a medical product is out of reach, there are significant barriers in accessing critical information that determines the availability, affordability and accessibility of these products. For decades, MSF has witnessed astonishing levels of opacity in the biomedical research and development (R&D) system, and in subsequent supply and procurement processes. The lack of access to information has therefore itself become a barrier to equitable access to medical products.

The web of secrecy surrounding biomedical R&D, supply and procurement, has been systematically created and imposed by the biomedical industry, including pharmaceutical and diagnostics corporations. It is in their interest not to disclose this information as secrecy is the bedrock of monopolies they hold on medical products and the high prices they charge. This secrecy exists despite the majority of biomedical R&D initiatives receiving extensive amounts of public funding at one or more stages of their development, and despite multiple international reports, agreements and resolutions recognising the importance of transparency for sustainable access to medical products. This information asymmetry between pharmaceutical corporations that hold this information, and everyone else that does not – including governments, treatment providers like MSF and patients – undermines efforts to ensure equitable access to lifesaving medical products, and ultimately costs lives.

This report focuses on the need for transparency in 10 areas: seven specific areas in the product development supply and procurement processes, and three cross-cutting areas where decisive action can ensure transparency and access to information more broadly:

1. Cost of R&D, including clinical trial costs;

2. Clinical trial information and data;

3. Cost of goods sold;

4. Prices;

5. Non-disclosure agreements and confidential information in procurement contracts;

6. Status of patents, other IP, licensing and technology transfer agreements;

7. Registration and supply information;

8. Governance and decision-making processes of global health entities;

9. Transparency conditions on public funding and resources; and

10. National transparency laws

This is not an exhaustive list, but it aims to capture the information that, in MSF’s experience of responding to multiple outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics, is most critical for access. These areas span across the lifecycle of medical products, from the early development stages to when they are supplied. The report also recommends actions for governments, pharmaceutical corporations and other stakeholders, and includes the steps MSF is taking, to reject secrecy as the status quo and ensure timely, equitable access. These actions are needed urgently if we are to overcome the overwhelming information asymmetry in the biomedical R&D processes that undermines efforts to save lives.

Report highlights gaps in access, stewardship plans for promising antimicrobials

dlegge — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 22:24:07 +0000

Report highlights gaps in access, stewardship plans for promising antimicrobials

24 May 2024

dlegge Sun, 09/06/2024 - 08:24

Author/s

Chris Dall

CIDRAP

Report highlights gaps in access, stewardship plans for promising antimicrobials

A new report suggests a handful of innovative antimicrobials that could be approved within the next few years could save up to 160,000 lives if made available, and used appropriately, in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where they're most desperately needed.

But the companies developing these products are not doing as much as they could be to make this goal a reality.

The report from the Access to Medicine Foundation tracks four innovative, late-stage antimicrobial research and development projects, and one recently approved product, that collectively treat a variety of drug-resistant infections, which disproportionately affect people in LMICs. It finds that while the companies developing these products are employing some strategies to increase access and promote stewardship in LMICs, there's much more they could be doing to ensure that these drugs will be available to every patient everywhere.

"We have a small, but effective, arsenal in the race to combat drug resistance," Access to Medicine Foundation CEO Jayasree Iyer, MD, PhD, said in a press release. "The difference between us winning or losing this race depends on how companies enable access to people living on the frontlines of drug resistance."

Lack of concrete plans for access, affordability, stewardship

The four products and companies highlighted in the report are gepotidacin (GSK), an antibiotic for treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) and gonorrhea; zoliflodacin (Innoviva), an oral antibiotic for gonorrhea; cefipime-taniborbactam (Venatorx), a combination antibiotic that targets complicated UTIs and hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria; and olorofim, an antifungal targeting invasive fungal infections. The fifth product is Pfizer's aztreonam-avibactam, which was recently approved by the European Medicines agency for treating a host of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.

Keywords

AMR (Antimicrobial resistance)

A2M (Access to health technologies)

Documents reveal how Pfizer and Moderna ‘profiteered’ in Covid-19 vaccine negotiations

dlegge — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 06:22:08 +0000

Documents reveal how Pfizer and Moderna ‘profiteered’ in Covid-19 vaccine negotiations

21 May 2024

dlegge Sat, 08/06/2024 - 16:22

Author/s

Estelle Ellis

Daily Maverick

Documents reveal how Pfizer and Moderna ‘profiteered’ in Covid-19 vaccine negot…

Analysts studying the contracts South Africa concluded for the Pfizer vaccine and negotiations with Moderna for the Spikevax vaccine have found many instances of corporate bullying and draconian and one-sided contracts — but also of South African officials standing up and demanding more transparency, the Health Justice Institute said on Tuesday.

Keywords

Covid

Vaccines, Immunisation

A2M (Access to health technologies)