(By Dr. E. Renganathan, Executive Secretary on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property (IGWG); WHO, Geneva)

Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property (IGWG)

Background

WHO Commission on Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation and Public Health established 2004.

WHO Commission’s report was published in April, 2006.

The World Health Assembly (WHA) in May 2006 adopted resolution WHA59.24 requesting the DG to establish an Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG).

IGWG to draw up a global strategy and plan of action that aims at inter-alia, securing an enhanced and sustainable basis for needs-driven, essential health research and development relevant to diseases that disproportionately affect developing countries

IGWG Process

First session of the IGWG held in December, 2006.

Second session of the IGWG held in November, 2007 and resumed in April, 2008.

Follow-up drafting group to finalize strategy at the WHA 61 in May 2008.

Other Related Activities

Member States had additional opportunities to provide further inputs to the negotiating text during the process.

Web-based public-hearings held in November, 2006 and August to September, 2007.

Regional Consultations held in all regions from August to October, 2007.

Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property

The global strategy is designed to promote innovation, build capacity, improve access and mobilize resources.

Eight elements of the plan of action:

Prioritizing research and development needs

Promoting research and development

Building and improving innovative capacity

Transfer of technology

Application and management of intellectual property (IP)

Improving delivery and access

Ensuring sustainable financing mechanisms

Establishing monitoring and reporting systems.

At the 61st World Health Assembly

Member States adopted the global strategy and the agreed parts of the plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property (Resolution WHA 61.21)

The strategy proposes that WHO play a strategic and central role in the relationship between public health and innovation and IP within its mandates, capacities and constitutional objectives.

Member States were urged to adopt and support actively the wider implementation of the global strategy, in particular through providing adequate resources to enhance and implement the specific actions recommended in the global strategy on public health, innovation and intellectual property.

Relevant international organizations and other relevant stakeholders were called upon to give priority within their respective mandates and programmes to implementing the global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property.

Recommended expected outcomes for ANDI

Equitable access to good quality, affordable medicines.

Commitment and engagement of governments and other stakeholders.

Promotion and sustainability of African led R&D innovation through discovery, development and delivery of affordable new tools, as well as supporting capacity and infrastructure development.

Leverage and building of existing activities in Africa.

Leadership by African scientists and institutions with clear political support, ownership and involvement of African countries and regional networks.