WHO Releases Reports On Pandemic Framework Review, Implications Of Nagoya For Public Health

The World Health Organization has published two advanced documents to be presented at the organisation’s Executive Board meeting in January. One relates to the review of the WHO mechanism for pandemic influenza preparedness, and the other to the public health implications of the implementation of an international treaty on genetic resources.

The report [pdf] of the 2016 Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Framework Review Group is expected to be presented at the WHO Executive Board meeting from 23 January to 1 February.

The agenda of the Executive Board meeting, with detailed notes on each item, is available here [pdf].

In the preface of the document, Christine Kaseba-Sata (Chair), and Theresa Tam (acting Chair), said, “The PIP Framework offers helpful insights for the sharing of other pathogens that require a rapid response and the equitable sharing of benefits.”

“However, it is the view of the PIP Framework Review Group that the PIP Framework will only remain relevant if viruses continue to be shared and the need for clarification around the sharing of genetic sequence data and benefits is rapidly addressed,” they said.

They also underlined the importance of the strengthening of capacity building and the need to increase influenza vaccine production.

Separately, a report [pdf] on how the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity might affect the sharing of pathogens, and the potential public health implications was also issued as an advance document to be presented at the EB in January.

The WHO analysis found that as a central conclusion that: “(1) the Nagoya Protocol has implications for the public health response to infectious diseases, including influenza; and (2) these implications include opportunities to advance both public health and principles of fair and equitable sharing of benefits.”