Category Human Rights

US Congress Committee Issues Report On “Highly Invasive” FDA Surveillance Of Employees

The United States House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform today released a report detailing the US Food and Drug Administration's "highly-invasive" surveillance programme that monitored employees who contacted Congress and the media, according to a press release from the committee leaders. Surveillance was unauthorised and whistleblowers were not given sufficient protection, the report found.

DNDi Director: ‘Reality Check’ Needed For Neglected Diseases

Research and development into neglected diseases - those predominately affecting poorer populations and for which there is little commercial incentive - is undergoing "remarkable advances and rude set-backs," says Bernard Pécoul, executive director of the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi). Now, governments need to show stronger leadership in bringing about long-term solutions, he said.

WIPO Issues Tribute To Pete Seeger

The World Intellectual Property Organization has posted a tribute to legendary American folk singer, songwriter and activist Pete Seeger, who died on 27 January at the age of 94.

Move On Data Protection Or Fail On TTIP, EU Parliament Chair Says

At the Munich Security Conference a year ago, there was a considerable first push for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Eight months after the start of official TTIP negotiations and with the Snowden revelations in between, the tone at the 50th edition of the high-level foreign policy event in Munich is somewhat changed.

MSF: AstraZeneca Pullout Of Neglected Disease R&D Proof System Broken

Following news reports that pharmaceutical producer AstraZeneca will end its spending on early stage research and development for tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases, Médecins Sans Frontières issued a statement saying the move is further proof that substantive change to the global pharmaceutical R&D system is needed.

WHO Sets Path For Model R&D Projects For Developing Countries

Members of the World Health Organization Executive Board this week moved forward on the long path to new ways to spur research and development for diseases that mainly afflict poor populations. A process has been set for considering – and potentially choosing among - eight projects before the annual World Health Assembly in May.

WHO Chief: No Government Should Be Intimidated For Doing “Right Thing” In Public Health

Discussions on access to essential medicines yesterday at the World Health Organization were in some ways overshadowed by the recent leak of a global pharmaceutical campaign aimed at derailing efforts by the South African government to revise its intellectual property policy. WHO Director General Margaret Chan strongly supported South Africa, as did several developing countries, while developed countries remained silent on the subject.