WGIHR 3: KEI statement on the consideration of proposed amendments

On 17 April 2023, Knowledge Ecology International, delivered the following statement on proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations. Our statement focused on the Africa Group’s proposal on a new Article 13A on Access to Health Products, Technologies and Know-How for Public Health Response and Bangladesh’s proposal for a new article 13A predicated upon a WHO led International Public Health Response.



KEI statement – WHO WGIHR (3rd session)

17 April 2023

Agenda item 4 – Consideration of proposed amendments

With respect to a proposal on a new Article 13A on Access to Health Products, Technologies and Know-How for Public Health Response, KEI supports the Africa Group’s proposal to establish a “repository for cell-lines to accelerate the production and regulation of similar biotherapeutics products and vaccines” and the Africa Group’s call for pricing transparency requirements for manufacturers, and obligations to “share the technologies, know-how for the diversification of production”.

We note with interest, Bangladesh’s proposal for a new article 13A predicated upon a WHO led International Public Health Response. In particular, we support the call for WHO to carry out an “assessment of the availability and affordability of the health products […] required for responding to public health emergencies of international concern”.

In relation to production, we echo Bangladesh’s proposal for WHO to “develop and maintain a database containing the details of the ingredients, components, design, know-how, manufacturing process, or any other information required to facilitate manufacturing of health products required for responding to the potential public health emergencies of international concern.” This should include all IP needed to use the details and the WHO C-TAP could be expanded to facilitate this function.

Revising the International Health Regulations is a golden opportunity for the WHO and its member states to course correct in order to create a better global framework for cooperation.

Thiru

Thiru Balasubramaniam is the Geneva Representative of Knowledge Ecology International. Prior to his post as KEI’s Geneva Representative, Mr. Balasubramaniam worked at Health Action International in Colombo and at the World Health Organization in Geneva as a technical officer in the Department of Essential Drugs and Medicines Policy dealing with access to medicines and intellectual property. He began his career with CPTech working on issues related to health care and intellectual property. Mr. Balasubramaniam holds a B.A. in Economics and a Minor in European History from the University of Pennsylvania.