More Than 60 Groups, Companies Urge EU To Step Up Copyright Reform
A range of civil society groups and companies today urged the European Union to embrace a more ambitious agenda for reform of the Union's copyright law.
Intellectual Property Watch
Original news and analysis on international IP policy
William New
WHO Official: Medicines Should Not Be Priced At The Value Of A Life
Member governments of the World Health Organization are increasingly talking about how to bring about “fair” pricing of medicines. And what’s clear is that it should not be based on how much you would pay to save your life, a senior WHO official said this week.
Head Of WHO Health Systems Lays Out IP Issues At WHA
The annual World Health Assembly will address several issues related to intellectual property and innovation, Marie-Paule Kieny, assistant director-general for health systems and innovation at the World Health Organization, said in an interview this week. But a new initiative at WHO on fair pricing of medical products may not be among them in a significant way. [Update: the latest on the state of play on the UN High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines is being provided in real time below.]
WIPO Launches Strategic Plan 2017-2021 For Re:Search Program
The World Intellectual Property Organization this week has striven to show its commitment to contributing to the debate on intellectual property and health, and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, through advancement of its Re:Search program for the next five years.
Tedros Warms Up To Press In First Meeting, Sees Clear Mandate In “Landslide” Victory
In his first meeting with the United Nations press corps the morning after his historic election as the next director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus began to unfold his vision for the organisation and fended off questions about the United States budget by saying WHO has to diversify its funding base. He also signaled a variety of possible issues to come such as increased assessments on governments, and consideration of the recommendations of a recent UN report on access to medicines.
Ethiopian Becomes First African Head Of World Health Organization
In a novel election process for the first time involving the full organisation membership, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia this evening was elected as the next director general of the World Health Organization, becoming the first official from Africa to be chosen to head the United Nations health agency.
Speculation Rampant In Leadup To WHO Director General Election Today
Speculation in the hallways of United Nations headquarters in Geneva was rampant in the days and hours leading up to this afternoon’s election of a new director general to lead the UN World Health Organization, but solid information about who will win was hard to come by. The outcome after a series votes is expected sometime tonight.
Update! According to sources, the first round of voting is over. Results: Tedros 95, Nabarro 52, Nishtar 38. Second round update! Tedros 121, Nabarro 62. Third round underway.
US Renegotiation Of NAFTA To Include IP Rights, Digital Trade
Newly confirmed United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer issued a letter to Congress today stating that he will lead a renegotiation of the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico. And the changes will include new provisions on intellectual property rights and digital trade.
Major Research Funders, Institutions Pledge Transparency In Clinical Trials
More transparency on clinical trials is expected after major research funders, research institutions, and international health groups agreed that the research they fund or support will publicly release results of clinical trials.
WHO, Stakeholders Take ‘First Step’ On Fair Pricing For Medicines
The World Health Organization has concluded a major one-day forum on fair pricing of medicines, bringing a wide range of stakeholders together in Amsterdam and coming up with several possible actions for the way ahead. Key points of discussion included a definition of fair pricing, moving away from value-based pricing, delinkage of price from research and development costs, and greater transparency, according to participants.