Pfizer’s efforts to block Colombia’s accession to the OECD in 2017-2018

The following PDF file includes several email exchanges between Pfizer and USTR regarding Colombia’s accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Pfizer proposed several conditions it wanted Colombia to agree to before the US would withdraw objections… Continue Reading →

Pfizer asked USTR to block Malaysia requirement on drug price transparency. September 2017

KEI has received Pfizer and USTR emails and a Pfizer briefing memo to USTR from September 2017, asking the USTR to block a Malaysia Requirement to disclose drug prices. The documents were obtained under a Freedom of Information request to… Continue Reading →

Communications between Gilead and USTR regarding Malaysia compulsory license on HCV patents, 2017 to May 2018

The attached document is a 78 page PDF file obtained from USTR under the Freedom of Information Act (copy here), regarding communications between Gilead and USTR, over Malaysia’s decision to grant a compulsory license on patents for HCV treatments. This… Continue Reading →

At WIPO SCCR 37, a November 27, 2018 side event: Civil Society Views on the proposed WIPO Treaty for the Protection of Broadcasting Organizations

DATE: Tuesday, 27 November 2018 TIME: 1 PM to 3 PM VENUE: Room B, World Intellectual Property Organization CONVENER: Knowledge Ecology International (KEI) Knowledge Ecology International (KEI) cordially invites you to attend our side event during deliberations of the 37th… Continue Reading →

Roadblocks ahead on the WHO Roadmap on Access to Medicines and Vaccines?

By Katy Athersuch [1] and Thiru Balasubramaniam In May 2018, the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted decision WHA71(8) requesting WHO’s Director-General to “elaborate a roadmap, in consultation with Member States, outlining the programming of WHO’s work on access to medicines… Continue Reading →

Comments on NIH Prospective Exclusive License on Diabetes Treatments

Update. NIH sent us a 147 word response on November 23, 2018: NIH to KEI regarding Ovensa 23 NOV 2018. The brief reply states that “Prior to posting notices of a proposed grant of exclusive commercialization licenses, the NIH determines… Continue Reading →

TRIPS Council (November 2018): Statement of South Africa on Promoting Public Health Through Competition Law and Policy

On 9 November 2018, South Africa delivered the following statement on IP and competition policy at the WTO TRIPS Council under agenda item 13 on Intellectual Property and the Public Interest: Promoting Public Health Through Competition Law and Policy (an… Continue Reading →