Original news and analysis on international IP policy
The first global target on noncommunicable diseases has been gavelled through a World Health Assembly meeting. Member states have decided on a voluntary global target in reducing overall mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease.
The latest available documents of the closed-door meeting addressing recommendations on ways to finance neglected diseases largely afflicting developing countries show progress heading into this afternoon's session. They reflect efforts to agree on how to take the process forward, including agreement reached last night on putting the issue to regional groups later this year.
A set of documents in use by today's closed-door negotiations on research and development for neglected diseases at the World Health Assembly lay out the core differences between WHO members. Negotiations are expected to last into the night as members try to agree on how to take forward recommendations from a key report - including to negotiate a binding convention on R&D for diseases left behind in the marketplace.
Members of the World Health Organization tonight will consider a draft decision on how the organisation will address the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol.
A drafting group has embarked on the task of combining four different proposals on the table at the annual World Health Assembly aimed at financing research and development for neglected diseases mostly afflicting poorer populations.
Members of the World Health Organization at their annual meeting tomorrow will address proposals for ways to finance research and development for diseases which afflict mainly developing countries but for which there are not lucrative markets.
The annual World Health Assembly being held this week has a rare chance to achieve a breakthrough on health research for the global poor if it can agree to move forward on a proposed convention, proponents said at a recent meeting.
World Health Organization Director General Margaret Chan today opened the annual assembly of the UN agency’s member states with a positive outlook on the future of public health. At a time of economic uncertainty, she called on countries to be efficient in their spending, to take ownership of the health of their people, and to look toward innovative health solutions.
On the eve of the World Health Assembly, the permanent mission of Brazil organised an informal meeting on sanitary regulation and how to improve cooperation among drug regulatory agencies. Major stakeholders were invited to present challenges and ongoing efforts to improve global quality, safety and efficacy of medical products.
The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) has released a policy brief in support of the proposed R&D convention to be considered at the upcoming World Health Assembly.
With the launch of a new report concerning research and development for diseases predominately afflicting developing countries, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA) today convened a panel of public health specialists to discuss the findings.
A new draft proposal suggests that World Health Organization members postpone negotiations for a convention on financing of research and development for diseases predominantly afflicting poor populations. The negotiation of a convention is up for discussion by members at the annual World Health Assembly this month.