1. Story of an Essential Resolution The WHO Resolution on A Global Framework on Essential Health R&D

2. Lets start at the very beginning… 16 November 2005: Kenya sends draft resolution to the WHO Executive Board (EB) 6 January 2006: As there is no response from the WHO, 30 entities and individuals send a letter to WHO DG –Letter has desired effect – A week later - Kenya text put on the EB agenda 23 January 2006: 2 different letters sent to WHO DG from > 200 scientists and Members of European Parliament in support of the resolution 27 January 2006: EB discusses resolution and forwards it to the World Health Assembly for further discussion May 2006: WHA will debate the resolution

3. Why do we need this resolution?

4. Too many people die from neglected diseases 35,000 people die everyday from infectious neglected diseases e.g., AIDS, TB, malaria, kala-azar, sleeping sickness, Chagas disease These people live in poorer regions of the world Basic science on the disease causing parasites exists but is not being translated into health tools So no new drugs, diagnostics or vaccines are available to treat or prevent these diseases

5. Problem extends beyond poverty- related diseases Disproportionate emphasis of R&D on me- too drugs in rich countries at expense of new drugs needed to counter: –Resistance to antibiotics that has reached critical levels –Resistant strains of disease –New health threats emerging regularly –Vaccines for AIDS and other illnesses

6. Why now?

7. Availability of new tools could revolutionise R&D for global benefit The Internet has made the concept of open access to knowledge viable and affordable, improving health research productivity, e.g.,: –HapMap Project (2002) to identify, catalogue and compare genetic similarities and differences in human beings –Human Genome Project (1990- 2003) to identify all the genes and genetic sequences in human DNA, and make available this information in the public domain

8. Growing awareness that the current R&D system requires examination Need to evaluate current R&D inefficiencies Need for a balance between IP and public domain Critical role of developing countries in new health technologies

9. What is this resolution about?

10. Greater public leadership Building a new global health regime consistent with human rights and public health priorities Investing in health as a strategic sector, providing sustainable levels of financial support Encouraging innovation in the way research is pursued and developed globally Promoting a balanced framework for medical innovation that does not rely upon a single incentive mechanism Establishing the next phase of the Essential Drugs policy of the 70s

11. What this resolution is not about It is not about nationalising medical R&D It is not against Intellectual Property Rights: It recognises the importance of IPR mechanisms in stimulating investment in R&D It is not aimed at disregarding the key role of the private sector

12. Timelines & Outcomes By Jan 2007 governments must put together a working group aimed at –establishing a global framework to support needs- driven research –setting R&D priorities in the interest of public health –defining policies that create an enabling environment for essential health R&D By 2008 governments must report back to WHO with recommendations of the working group

13. We urge WHO Member States to approve this resolution at the WHA in May 2006. Governments must take responsibility for global health policies and priorities