Amid news that the President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, today will announce Brazil’s intention to issue a compulsory license for Merck’s HIV/AIDS drug Efavirenz, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest US provider of HIV/AIDS healthcare, education and prevention and operator of free AIDS treatment clinics in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and Asia, hailed the move as a victory for global AIDS activism and AIDS patients worldwide.
Health equity in economic and trade policies
Brazil breaks Merck Drug Patent in major victory for AIDS activism
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, 4 May 2007
Development and Intellectual Property under the EPA Negotiations
South Centre Policy Brief 6, March 2007
The negotiations for Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) between the EU and the African Caribbean and Pacific Countries are likely to result in additional layers of intellectual property right protection, at least in the case of the agreement with Cariforum countries. A review of the ongoing negotiations and various draft texts and papers demonstrates an inadequate focus on the need for technological development, promotion of public health, protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge as well as for ensuring access to knowledge. Considering the level of economic development in ACP countries, the negotiations should not include IP rights as part of the partnership agreement. Instead they should focus on industrial and technological development and aim to address the longstanding issues on various EU policies that have impeded participation of the ACP countries in the value-chain of products, protection of biodiversity and traditional knowledge and the use of TRIPS flexibilities.
ESA CSO Statement to the 11th Regional Negotiating forum for EPAs
SEATINI
This statement was compiled to prepare a position to feed into the 11th Regional Negotiating Forum for EPAs 14-16 May (SEATINI representatives attended this meeting which was the official meeting of ESA governments). The statement that is attached is from the meeting that was attended with other CSOs from Malawi, Zambia, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.
GATS dispute settlement cases: Practical implications for developing countries
South Centre Analytical Note: South Centre, February 2007
Developing countries should be aware of the implications of the WTO dispute
settlement reports on US – Gambling and Mexico – Telecommunications as they continue participating in the WTO negotiations. The findings in the reports have set precedents on the interpretation of various GATS articles and concepts, including: necessity tests; Article XIV on General Exception; Article IV on Increasing Participation of Developing Countries; and scheduling
guidelines.
HSRC embarks on Youth Policy Initiative to fuse research and policy
Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), 18 May 2007
In the next 10 years South Africa is expected to experience a ‘demographic dividend’ where the youthful population will peak, bringing a unique opportunity for rapid human capital development and economic growth, according to the World Bank’s 2007 World Development Report. This is a compelling argument for urgent investment in young people in Africa. The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) Youth Policy Initiative is working to ensure that the country is prepared to make the most of this ‘youth bulge’. The initiative will bring together experts from the policy, programme and research environments as well as young people in a series of six roundtable meetings to interrogate the key questions of youth development.
Impact of packaged interventions on neonatal health: A review of evidence
Haws RA, Thomas AL, Bhutta ZA, et al: Health Policy and Planning, Advance Access published, 25 May 2007
A disproportionate burden of infant and under-five childhood mortality occurs during the neonatal period, usually within a few days of birth and against a backdrop of socio-economic deprivation in developing countries. To guide programmes aimed at averting these 4 million annual deaths, recent reviews evaluated the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of individual interventions. However, no systematic review of the empirical data on packages of interventions, including consideration of community based intervention packages, has yet been performed. To address this gap, we reviewed peer-reviewed journals and grey literature to evaluate the content, impact, efficacy (implementation under ideal circumstances), effectiveness (implementation within health systems), type of provider, and cost of packages of interventions reporting neonatal health outcomes.
International Worker's Day call for fair globalisation
Public Services International, 1 May 2006
On International Workers’ Day PSI called for a fair globalisation and the defence of quality public services. Fair globalisation means committed and adequate investment in vital public services such as health, water, sanitation, electricity and education, where the contributions of workers are properly recognised and recompensed. It is through the proper funding and provision of these services that we will achieve more just and inclusive societies. Policies which drive countries, particularly developing countries, to restructure, outsource and privatise their public services only serve to perpetuate poverty and underline inequalities”
Signing away the future: How trade and investment agreements between rich and poor countries undermine development
Oxfam Briefing Paper 101, 20 March 2007
The quiet advance of trade and investment agreements between rich and poor countries threatens to deny developing countries a favourable foothold in the global economy. Driven by the USA and the European Union, these agreements impose far-reaching rules that place severe restrictions on the very policies developing countries need in order to fight poverty.
WHO admits patents taken on avian flu virus
Khor M: Third World Network, 16 May 2007
At the World Health Assembly’s discussions on the patenting of viruses by drug companies, WHO admitted patents have been taken on the avian flu virus, and WHO collaborating centres have entered into Material Transfer Agreements with vaccine manufacturers. Various countries responded to the non compliance of the WHO’s 2005 Guidance on sharing viruses.
WHO shaken up by delegates' criticisms on IPR issues
Khor M: Third World Network, 19 May 2007
WHO’s handling of issues at the 2007 World Health Assembly, has received sharp criticism from both member states and NGOs for its bias and neglect of traditional priority issues. This article highlights the complaints of developing country members.