DIIP Monthly Update – July 2017
This update provides a snapshot of the activities of the Development, Innovation and Intellectual Property Programme during the month of July 2017.
Affordable Medicines
Research Paper 62R, July 2017
Intellectual Property in the Trans-Pacific Partnership: Increasing the Barriers for the Access to Affordable Medicines (revised)
Most free trade agreements (FTAs) signed by the United States, the European Union and the members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in the last 15 years contain chapters on intellectual property rights with provisions applicable to pharmaceuticals. Such provisions considerably expand the rights recognized to pharmaceutical companies under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) established in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO). (more…)
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.
Statement, July 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.
Statement, May 2017
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.
Research Paper 77, May 2017
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
SC Side Event to WHA70, 24 May 2017
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
SC Breakfast Dialogue on Access to Hepatitis C Treatments, 16 May 2017
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
Policy Brief 39, May 2017
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.
Policy Brief 37, March 2017
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.
(more…)
Analytical Note, March 2017
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…)
Research Paper 74, February 2017
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…)