We are all aware that negotiations, particularly of the WHO CA+, but also to some extent the WG-IHR, are in a difficult place. The central issues of concern are of how low and middle income countries can access epidemic and pandemic countermeasures equitably, and also the nature of any pathogens access and benefits system. There are many issues within these two areas, including distributed production of countermeasures across the world, the technology transfer, TRIPS matters and the balance between equity and the need to ensure that research and innovation continues in the pharmaceutical industries.
Countries have taken firm positions but some progress has been made through informal Member State led sessions on the relevant Articles. Even there, concerns have been raised in some countries, particularly the poorer ones, that they simply do not have the resource to engage with so many meetings. These informals have at least increased understanding of what are the underlying concerns of particular Member States.