DIIP Monthly Update – June 2017
This update provides a snapshot of the activities of the Development, Innovation and Intellectual Property Programme during the month of June 2017.
This update provides a snapshot of the activities of the Development, Innovation and Intellectual Property Programme during the month of June 2017.
South Centre Statement to the 26th Session of the WIPO Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP)
The 26th session of the WIPO Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP) is meeting this week at the WIPO headquarters in Geneva. The South Centre is participating in the current session of the SCP as an observer. The following statement was delivered by the South Centre on the first day of the current session of the SCP.
South Centre Statement to the 10th NAM Health Ministerial
Below is a statement made by the South Centre’s Deputy Executive Director Vicente Paolo B. Yu III during the meeting of the Ministers of health of the Non-Aligned Movement held in Geneva on 23 May 2017 in conjunction with the World Health Assembly.
Access to Hepatitis C Treatment: A Global Problem
“Viral hepatitis is an international public health challenge, comparable to other major communicable diseases, including HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. Despite the significant burden it places on communities across all global regions, hepatitis has been largely ignored as a health and development priority until recently”. – WHO, Global Health Sector strategy on viral Hepatitis 2016-2021: Towards ending viral hepatitis
Title: Impact of the recommendations of the United Nations Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines: Discussion in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
Date: Wednesday, 24 May 2017, 18:00-19:30
Venue: Room 7, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
Organizers: The South Centre, Morocco, Bolivia, India, Uganda, Venezuela, UNSG HLP A2M, PPD
Title: Breakfast Dialogue on Access to Hepatitis C Treatments
with Former President of Colombia H.E. Mr. Ernesto Samper Pizano
Date: 16 May 2017, 9:00-11:00
Venue: Intercontinental Hotel
Organizers: The South Centre, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Ecuador, Coalition PLUS, UNITAID
Highlights of the WHO Executive Board: 140th Session
The World Health Assembly (WHA), the highest body of the World Health Organization, will be meeting from 22-31 May 2017.
Earlier in January, the Executive Board of the WHO met and discussed on various strategic issues that will be carried forward to the WHA.
In this light, the South Centre has prepared a timely summary report in the form of a policy brief of the discussions that took place at the EB, to assist delegates and other stakeholders in their preparation for the discussions in the WHA.
The Need to Avoid “TRIPS-Plus” Patent Clauses in Trade Agreements
A recent article in a prestigious journal reminds us of how the intellectual property chapter of free trade agreements can prevent the sick from getting treatment. This article also critiques the TPP clauses and warns that they should not be translated to national laws or copied into other FTAs being negotiated.
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The TRIPS and WTO Negotiations: Stakes for Africa
This paper discusses the current negotiation issues in the context of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the position the African Group has taken in these negotiations. (more…)
Mitigating the Regulatory Constraints Imposed by Intellectual Property Rules under Free Trade Agreements
IP provisions in FTAs may have implications on a wide range of public policy areas. A vast academic literature has addressed the “flexibilities” available under the TRIPS Agreement and the negative impact of FTAs in relation to access to medicines. (more…)
Title: The United Nations Secretary-General’s High Level Panel on Access to Medicines: Opportunities to Advance Health Technology Innovation and Access
Date: 1 March 2017, 13:00-15:00
Venue: Room S1, WTO Building, Centre William Rappard, Rue de Lausanne 154, Geneva
Organizers: Bangladesh, Brazil, India, South Africa, the Secretariat of the UN Secretary-General’s High Level Panel on Access to Medicines, the South Centre
Title: Briefing for Developing Countries on Global Trends and Linkages to Geneva Multilateral
Processes
Date: Monday, 13 February 2017, 9:30-13:00
Venue: Room XXIV, Palais des Nations
Organizer: The South Centre