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.
