Health Action International
Jacob van Lennepkade 334-T
1053 NJ Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Tel: +31 (0)20 683 3684
Fax: +31 (0)20 685 5002
E-mail: info@haiweb.org

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION EXECUTIVE BOARD MOVES AHEAD WITH PROMISING PROPOSAL THAT RE-EXAMINES HEALTH R&D PRIORITIES AND FINANCING


Geneva, January 27th 2006 - The World Health Organization has taken a significant step forward in addressing the priority health needs of millions of people in developing countries, according to a group of NGOs including Health Action International, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Consumer Project on Technology (CPTech) attending the WHO's Executive Board meeting in Geneva this week.

The UN health body's Executive Board has recommended that a resolution proposed by Kenya and Brazil on research and development be submitted to the World Health Assembly in May. If passed, it will help speed up the translation of scientific and biomedical progress into effective and affordable drugs, diagnostics and vaccines that respond to the needs of patients, particularly those living in poverty.

"By going forward with the resolution, the WHO Board has shown its commitment to exploring solutions to a problem that leaves millions of people in developing countries without access to treatment", said Ellen 't Hoen, head of Policy and Advocacy at MSF's Campaign for Access to Essential Medicines. "If the May World Health Assembly adopts this resolution, it will help make sure the essential medicines of the future are developed."

Source: http://www.accessmed-msf.org

World Health Organization Executive Board moves ahead with promising proposal that re-examines  health R&D priorities and financing.
http://www.accessmed-msf.org/prod/publications.asp?scntid=3012006187204&contenttype=PARA&

Open letter from scientists to WHO Executive Board Members
http://www.whoscientistsletter.org/

Open letter from members of the EU parliament members to WHO EB:
http://www.accessmed-msf.org/prod/publications.asp?scntid=2512006181407&contenttype=PARA&

Briefing document on R&D:
http://www.accessmed-msf.org/prod/publications.asp?scntid=25120061345313&contenttype=PARA&

Interview with Ellen t'Hoen of MSF:
http://www.accessmed-msf.org/prod/publications.asp?scntid=25120061351164&contenttype=PARA&
Medicine Prices
Essential Innovation
Drug Promotion
Public Private Interactions
Conflict of interest