WHO donors in 2015 (US, UK, Gates Foundation, GAVI Alliance, National Philanthropic Trust): Setting the agenda for global public health?

In the run up to the 69th World Health Assembly, to be convened in Geneva from 23 May 2016 to 28 May 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) has prepared a document (A69/INF./3, 13 May 2016) entitled Voluntary contributions by fund and by contributor, 2015. Total voluntary contributions to WHO in 2015 amounted to $1,836,970,206 which represented a dip from the 2014 figure of $2,001,713,247.

Continue Reading

2016: KEI objections to NIH licenses to Vital Spark, Kalytera Therapeutics, CB1 receptor mediating compounds

(More on government funded inventions here. Other KEI comments on NIH licenses are found here.) May 4, 2016 Betty Tong, Ph.D. Senior Licensing and Patenting Manager Technology Advancement Office National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 12A South… Continue Reading

WHO CEWG 2016: Statement of Health Action International, Knowledge Ecology International and STOPAIDS

On Monday, 2 May 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened the 2016 open-ended member states meeting of the Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development: Financing and Coordination (CEWG). The 2016 CEWG is chaired by Bhanu Pratap Sharma, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The Vice-Chair is Tania Dussey- Cavassini, Vice-Director General, Ambassador for Global Health, Federal Office of Public Health, Switzerland.

Continue Reading

Uncategorized

Rep. Lloyd Doggett keynote address at CAP drug pricing event highlights Xtandi, federal funding of pharmaceutical R&D

On April 26, 2016, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) delivered the keynote address at a panel discussion on drug pricing at the Center for American Progress, where he addressed the Federal government’s role in subsidizing drug development, ensuring affordable access at reasonable prices for U.S. citizens, industry practices related to monopoly pricing, and legislative solutions to promote rational and affordable drug prices.


Continue Reading

Uncategorized

WHO releases program of work and progress report in advance of Consultative Expert Working Group on R&D (2-4 May 2016)

The World Health Organization (WHO) is convening an open-ended meeting of member states on the Follow-up of the report of the Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development: Financing and Coordination (CEWG) in Geneva, Switzerland at WHO headquarters from 2 May 2016 to 4 May 2016. The WHO has published the provisional agenda, the proposed program of work and progress report. Continue Reading