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Outcomes of the World Health Asembly - Intergovernmental Working Group on Essential Health Research and IPRs

EPHA attended Médecins Sans Frontières debriefing session on the outcomes of May’s World Health Asembly (WHA). The session focussed on the WHA’s resolution on essential health research and intellectual property rights (IPRs) - see the attached report on WHA Towards a Global Strategy. It was also an opportunity to discuss the key issues and opportunities raised by the newly created intergovernmental working group.

Background Information by MSF

The Commission on Intellectual Property and Public Health (CIPIH) established by the World Health Organisation (WHO), has confirmed in its recent report (published in April 2006) that the current global system for supporting innovation in new medicines and other health technologies is inadequate, particularly for diseases that predominately affect developing countries. This awareness has been reflected in the agreement reached by the 192 members of the WHO at the World Health Assembly on May 2006: to establish an intergovernmental working group to draw up a global strategy and plan of action for improving access to medicines based on the recommendation of the CIPIH report.

Members of the European Parliament were very supportive of such an agreement. Before the WHA May 2006, 64 MEPs called on the Commission and the Council to support any initiative or resolution put forward at the WHA that defines government responsibility in setting health priorities and help achieve the goal of putting in practice a framework for ensuring sustainable health research and development that responds to, and is steered by, health needs, and results in affordable essential health products.

While the resolution is very welcome, during the course of its agreement a number of issues were raised including the possible involvement of the Pharma industry in the EC Commissions negotiating positions, and more longer term the competence of the EU Commission to speak for all Member States at an international level on health issues and the implications if they do so.

The intergovernmental working group (IGW) will be established quickly (within the next few months) and it is proposed to give roles not only to Member States, but also to the EU Commission. Civil society and the pharmaceutical industry will also participate as observers.

Results of Debriefing Session

NGOs have a role to play in ensuring an efficient process and outcome of the IGW to really address the access to medicines issue.
The WHA intergovernmental working group (IGW) is an excellent development.
Discussions of the IWG have begun already and a first meeting is estimated by MSF to be in December 2006.
The IGW’s composition and exact mandate is currently being determined so NGOs should take the opportunity to influence the IGW’s development before December 2006.