Public Health

SC Submission to OHCHR for HRC resolution 50/13, January 2025

Submission by the South Centre to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Inputs for the comprehensive report on ensuring access to medicines, vaccines and other health products (HRC resolution 50/13)

January 2025

The South Centre has provided input for the OHCHR report on new developments and challenges in ensuring access to medicines, vaccines and other health products.

(more…)

Research Paper 214, 15 January 2025

Application of the Bolar Exception: Different Approaches in the EU

By Dmytro Doubinsky

This Research Paper addresses the growing problem of access to essential medicines, focusing on the role of intellectual property rights, particularly patent rights, in restricting access by enabling pharmaceutical market monopolies that keep drug prices high. The paper explores the Bolar exception, a legal mechanism designed to allow generic drug manufacturers to seek regulatory approval before a patent expires, thus preventing the de facto extension of patent monopolies. The study examines the transformation of the Bolar exception from a specific legal case into a significant tool of intellectual property, commercial, and pharmaceutical law. The paper analyzes key international legal frameworks and European directives related to the Bolar exception and highlights divergent interpretations of the Exception in German and Polish case law. Through this comparative analysis, the paper argues for the broader implementation of Bolar exceptions to improve access to affordable medicines and reduce healthcare costs.

(more…)

Book by the South Centre, 2024

Los retos de futuras pandemias

Entre la política y la ciencia

¿Hacia dónde va la salud mundial?

Descripción:

Las nuevas pandemias son inevitables. ¿Cómo podemos estar mejor preparados para ellas y, sobre todo, cómo podemos evitar los errores e injusticias cometidos durante la pandemia de COVID19? Actualmente se están llevando a cabo negociaciones para formular un tratado internacional vinculante sobre prevención y preparación que garantice respuestas más justas a futuras pandemias. Este libro pretende ser una contribución crítica a estos debates en curso.

¿Cómo garantizar un acceso equitativo a los medicamentos y diagnósticos cuando la mayoría de ellos se producen en un número reducido de países? ¿Cómo explicar que la financiación actual de la cooperación sanitaria esté en manos de un pequeño grupo de países y fundaciones del Norte? ¿Cómo reforzar el papel de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, que actualmente desempeña un papel secundario en la coordinación de las políticas de salud pública?  ¿Por qué se ha sustituido el concepto de «medicamentos esenciales», gran avance de la política de salud pública, por el de «contramedidas médicas», término más acorde con el afán de lucro del sector privado?

Autor: Germán Velásquez, Asesor especial sobre políticas y salud, South Centre de Ginebra

(more…)

Book by the South Centre, 2024

Les défis des futures pandémies

Enjeux politiques et négociations internationales

Les défis des futures pandémiesDetails:

De nouvelles pandémies sont inéluctables. Comment mieux s’y préparer et surtout comment éviter les erreurs et injustices commises durant la pandémie du Covid-19 ? Des négociations sont en cours pour formuler un traité international contraignant sur la prévention et la préparation pour des réponses plus justes aux futures pandémies. Ce livre se veut une contribution critique aux débats en cours.

Comment garantir l’accès équitable aux médicaments et diagnostics, alors que la majorité d’entre eux sont produits dans un petit nombre de pays ? Comment expliquer que le financement actuel de la coopération en matière de santé se retrouve entre les mains d’un groupe réduit de pays et fondations du Nord ? Comment renforcer le rôle de l’Organisation mondiale de la santé, qui ne joue plus qu’un rôle mineur dans la coordination des politiques de santé publique ? Comment se fait-il que le concept de « médicaments essentiels », une avancée majeure dans les politiques de santé publique, soit remplacé par celui de « contre-mesures médicales », un terme qui s’accorde plutôt à la logique de profit du secteur privé ?

La préparation aux futures pandémies nous oblige à nous interroger : comment préserver l’intérêt général, la défense des droits de l’homme et la santé publique ?

Auteur: Germán Velásquez est conseiller spécial en matière de politique et de santé au South Centre à Genève.

(more…)

Webinar: Enhancing Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Developing Countries, 18 November 2024

Webinar: Enhancing Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Developing Countries

18 November 2024

Virtual event

Time: 3-4:00 PM CEST / 9-10:00 AM EDT / 7:30 – 8:30 PM IST

The South Centre will organize a webinar during the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2024 to highlight essential strategies and success stories in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and stewardship across developing countries, focusing on bridging gaps in data collection and accuracy. Challenges such as limited funding, technical infrastructure, and trained personnel hinder effective AMR surveillance.

The webinar will explore cost-effective digital solutions, regional collaboration, and resource-efficient strategies to help build resilient AMR surveillance systems, enhancing sustainable antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), combating AMR, saving patient lives, and improving global public health outcomes.

The webinar will have two sessions, designed to provide practical insights and evidence-based recommendations to improve AMR surveillance, policy, and clinical practices, particularly in resource-limited settings.

(more…)

Research Paper 209, 25 September 2024

AMR in Aquaculture: Enhancing Indian Shrimp Exports through Sustainable Practices and Reduced Antimicrobial Usage  

By Robin Paul

This study on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Indian shrimp farming underscores its critical impact on public health, environmental sustainability, and economic viability. The global scenario with many export rejections on account of persistent residues of antibiotics, reiterate that antimicrobial use in aquaculture, demands urgent global attention.

In the Indian context, the shrimp industry grapples with a delicate balance between production demands and long-term shrimp health. Sustainable practices, including responsible antimicrobial use, are crucial for economic viability, given the industry’s reliance on specific markets like the United States, EU and China.

Sustainable aquaculture emerges as a pivotal solution, supported by government policies and a gradual industry shift towards best practices. However, challenges persist, requiring a comprehensive approach to balance economic interests with environmental conservation. The key challenges remain the large number of small stakeholders and huge geographical spread of farms which make implementation of regulations and sharing of best practices difficult. Traceability and certification programs can play a key role in promoting responsible aquaculture, ensuring transparency and accountability in the supply chain. Technological innovations, including block chain can offer efficient solutions for traceability.

The collaborative action suggested emphasizes the role of government bodies, regulatory agencies, industry players, researchers, and consumers in addressing AMR. Clearer implementable regulatory frameworks aligned with economic and environmental priorities are essential. Looking ahead, the study envisions a future where the blue economy is sustainable not just for the industry’s success but also to protect the wider environment. By enhancing domestic market presence and fostering collaboration with importing countries, the Indian industry can overcome the multiple challenges raised by AMR in shrimp aquaculture.

(more…)

Research Paper 206, 28 August 2024

Equity and Pandemic Preparedness: Navigating the 2024 Amendments to the International Health Regulations  

By Nirmalya Syam

The amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) agreed upon in May 2024 are important for strengthening global health emergency preparedness and response. The negotiations resulted in the IHR amendment now recognizing the importance of equity, including equitable access to health products, enhancing IHR core capacities, and mobilizing financing. The amendments note the role of the World Health Organization (WHO) in facilitating timely access to necessary health products by removing barriers and supporting local production and distribution. However, the WHO authority to effectively act in those areas is limited. The IHR as amended will establish a Coordinating Financial Mechanism to provide predictable and sustainable financing for its implementation, particularly in developing countries.

Despite some advancements, the amendments fall short of imposing concrete obligations on developed countries to facilitate timely access to health products and financial support and transfer of technology to developing countries. Overall, the amended IHR represent a significant step toward a more equitable global health framework, setting a precedent for future international health instruments, including the proposed pandemic treaty.

(more…)

SouthViews No. 272, 8 August 2024

Lessons for the Global South from U.S. Legislation on Patent Thickets

By Nirmalya Syam

The US Senate’s passage of the Affordable Prescription for Patients Act (S-150) targets patent thickets, strategic barriers used by pharmaceutical companies to delay the entry of biosimilar drugs and maintain high prices. This US legislative act offers valuable lessons for the Global South, where similar reforms can strengthen patent review processes, encourage competition, and utilize TRIPS flexibilities to improve access to affordable medicines, fostering a more equitable healthcare system.

(more…)

Research Paper 203, 11 July 2024

The Vaccine Industry After the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Perspective

By Felix Lobo

The purpose of this report is to analyze the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the vaccine industry from an international perspective. The objective is to learn from the experience and contribute to the design of better tools for future vaccine development and manufacturing, as we must be prepared for future emerging infectious diseases with the potential for global expansion. This industry makes fundamental contributions to global social welfare, but from a business point of view it is complex and difficult to manage, and from an economic point of view it is an industry that does not fit the paradigm of competitive market efficiency with notorious market failures.

We examine the impact of the pandemic on innovation and the scientific, technological and industrial development of vaccines and find that certain elements of the industry’s structure have changed, while others have remained. We also summarize the lessons learned from the deployment of some public policies to boost supply and drive demand, paying particular attention to the inequity in the global distribution of vaccines and to the COVAX program. We conclude that some of the policies have been very effective, while others have not fully achieved their objectives. From the achievements and limitations, lessons can be drawn for the reformulation and expansion of global public policies that would stimulate R&D, manufacturing, distribution and access.

(more…)

Research Paper 202, 28 June 2024

Constraints to and Prospects for Sustainable Livestock Sector Practices in Argentina with Emphasis on Antimicrobial Usage

By David Oseguera Montiel

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a top threat for global health and development as it has the potential to become the next pandemic. Agriculture roughly accounts for three-quarters of all the antimicrobial usage. Modern animal husbandry systems use antimicrobials for disease prevention and growth promotion. Regulations and restrictions regarding antimicrobial use in agriculture vary across the regions of the world. This paper explores the situation of the Argentina livestock sector with regard to antimicrobial use. Argentina is renowned as a global food producer, notably for its grain and livestock production potential. This paper analyzes the constraints to and prospects for transitioning towards a more sustainable livestock farming production in Argentina by relying less on antimicrobials and without compromising productivity. The livestock sector in Argentina has embarked on the intensification of farming, especially beef farming, in the last thirty years. Farming intensification generally requires the use of greater quantities of antibiotics. Alternative sustainable intensification is necessary to overcome antimicrobial overuse. Various factors, including economic, social, and cultural, shape consumption patterns. The Argentine farming sector needs to focus on these context-specific situations, which will drive animal food production.

(more…)

Research Paper 201, 27 June 2024

Antimicrobial Resistance: Optimizing Antimicrobial Use in Food-Producing Animals

 By Viviana Munoz Tellez

The increasing resistance of microorganisms to antimicrobials that help to treat and control spread of infections is a major public health problem around the world. Antimicrobial resistance is aggravated by inappropriate use of antimicrobials in human and animal health and in plant and animal agriculture. This paper tackles the question of how to shift animal food production to implement adequate antimicrobial stewardship practices.

(more…)