Text of final resolution on 12.20 Public Health, innovation and intellectual property
The final text of the resolution is here:
http://www.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA60/A60_64-en.pdf
Peter Pitts doesn’t like the KSR decision, or prizesP
Peter Pitts doesn’t like the KSR decision, and he also doesn’t like prizes. His recent Spectator article says:
DISTURBINGLY, SOME FOLKS ARE now advocating a “prize” system where there are no drug patents. Instead, the government would pay a drug maker a lump sum for its innovation, and then the new drug would immediately be placed in the public domain.
WHA approves resolution on IGWG
According to Thiru Balasubramaniam, the WHA has now adopted a resolution on the WHO’s Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property. We are waiting for the official text. However, it seemed better than many had predicted earlier this week. The U.S., while not blocking the resolution, noted it did not join the consensus on the text. Now attentions will turn to the WHO’s next move, which will be the July draft of the global strategy and plan of action.
The Gotham Prize
The Gotham Prize for cancer research tests the use of prizes to encourage more openness for cancer research. According to their web site:
KEI Statement on WHA/IGWG resolution
Statement by Thiru Balasubramaniam on behalf of KEI, regarding the WHO IGWG resolution:
“The 60th World Health Assembly is taking another important step to change the way the WHO and Member States deal with innovation and access.
Prize4Life
Prize4Life is an effort to accelerate treatments for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). It was created by 32 year old Avichai “Avi” Kremer. According to news reports Kremer was diagnosed with ALS in 2004, and has only a few years to live. He started Prize4Life to raise money for prizes to stimulation research.
Here are some extracts from this moving story in the March 28 issue of the Boston Globe:
KEI Statement on Brazil Compulsory License on efavirenz
Friday, 04 May 2007 Knowledge Ecology International Statement by James Love, +1202.361.3040, "Brazil's decision to issue a compulsory license on the patents for the AIDS drug efavirenz is an important first step to implement the Doha Declaration’s requirement that the… Continue Reading
Abbott sought compulsory license in 2007 US patent dispute
(When the shoe was on the other foot, Abbott asked for a compulsory license, while criticizing Thailand for issuing compulsory licenses) On the 12th of January 2007, Abbott Laboratories lost a bid in a U.S. District Court (the Western District… Continue Reading
KEI Statement on USTR 301 list reference to Thailand
Monday, 30 April 2007 “The sanctioning of countries for using legitimate and important flexibilities in the TRIPS agreement brings shame to all U.S. citizens who are increasingly seen in Thailand and elsewhere as bullies and hypocrites.” The following is the… Continue Reading
KEI Statement on USTR 301 list reference to Thailand
Monday, 30 April 2007 “The sanctioning of countries for using legitimate and important flexibilities in the TRIPS agreement brings shame to all U.S. citizens who are increasingly seen in Thailand and elsewhere as bullies and hypocrites.” The following is the… Continue Reading