TWN Info Service on Health Issues (2021)

• WHO: U.S. pushes onerous IHR obligations on developing countries
  by Nithin Ramakrishnan & K M Gopakumar (16 Dec 21)
• Omicron & Developing Countries - Where Threats are the Greatest
  by Alexander Kozul-Wright (16 Dec 21)
• US, EU, India, South Africa hold talks on TRIPS waiver compromise
  by D. Ravi Kanth (14 Dec 21)
• Rights: Covid-19 pandemic has fed a “frightening rise in inequalities”
  by Kanaga Raja (14 Dec 21)
• WTO: GC chair, DG call for pandemic response, fisheries deal by end-February
  by D. Ravi Kanth (10 Dec 21)
• WHO: US proposal on IHR amendment pursues health security agenda
  by Nithin Ramakrishnan (08 Dec 21)
• Developing countries call for concluding work on TRIPS waiver
  by D. Ravi Kanth (07 Dec 21)
• Pressure mounts on WTO to show its "human face" on TRIPS waiver
  by D. Ravi Kanth (02 Dec 21)
• WHO: International Negotiating Body to decide on nature of new instrument on pandemics
  by Nithin Ramakrishnan (01 Dec 21)
• WTO's MC12 postponed due to Omicron variant of Covid-19
  by D. Ravi Kanth (30 Nov 21)
• WHO: WHASS negotiations stuck on nature of new instrument on pandemics
  by Nithin Ramakrishnan & K M Gopakumar (29 Nov 21)
• Attempts at "naming & shaming" begin at WTO prior to MC12
  by D. Ravi Kanth (26 Nov 21)
• CSOs sharply criticize Walker process on WTO's response to pandemic
  by Kanaga Raja (26 Nov 21)
• UN Monitor #29: Heard at the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly High-level meetings
  (23 Nov 21)
• Emergence of "vaccine apartheid" at WTO's upcoming MC12?
  by D. Ravi Kanth (23 Nov 21)
• WHO: Two-track approach proposed for pandemic preparedness and response
  by TWN (13 Nov 21)
• EU & allies adopt "diversionary" tactics on TRIPS waiver at WTO
  by D. Ravi Kanth (11 Nov 21)
• Inviting applications for online course on "Access to Covid-19 Medical Products”
  (10 Nov 21)
• Global jurists call for waiver of global intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics
  (09 Nov 21)
• Medicines Patent Pool License Strengthens Merck’s Market Control and Undermines the Pool’s Core Principles
  by TWN (01 Nov 21)
• WHO: No consensus on pandemic treaty, but Draft Report pushes for a two-track approach
  by Nithin Ramakrishnan & K M Gopakumar (31 Oct 21)
• WHO: No reference to WHO Constitution in "non-paper" on proposed pandemic treaty
  by Nithin Ramakrishnan & K M Gopakumar (30 Oct 21)
• WHO: Uncertainty over nature and content of proposed pandemic treaty even among supporters
  by TWN (30 Oct 21)
• Labour: Covid-19 pandemic stalls global labour market recovery, says ILO
  by Kanaga Raja (29 Oct 21)
• WTO: Four South countries propose bold approach on response to pandemic
  by D. Ravi Kanth (27 Oct 21)
• COVID-19: UN experts call for urgent action on universal access to vaccines
  by Kanaga Raja (21 Oct 21)
• US proposes "peace clause" for disputes concerning IPRs at WTO
  by D. Ravi Kanth (21 Oct 21)
• Intellectual Property Monopolies Perpetuate Inequitable Access to COVID-19 Therapeutics
  by Sangeeta Shashikant (19 Oct 21)
• Need to de-link TRIPS waiver from other MC12 issues
  by D. Ravi Kanth (19 Oct 21)
• Video: COVID 19 - Europe's Broken Promises on Equitable Access
  (19 Oct 21)
• WHO: US ‘non-paper’ on equity reinforces its pharmaceutical industry dominance
  by Nithin Ramakrishnan & K M Gopakumar (18 Oct 21)
• Fears of "take-it-or-leave-it" deal on fisheries subsidies ahead of MC12 / US TRIPS Waiver position
  by D. Ravi Kanth (18 Oct 21)
• WHO: Secretariat’s analysis on benefits and risks of proposed pandemic treaty stands on feet of clay
  by Nithin Ramakrishnan & K M Gopakumar (16 Oct 21)
• WHO: No consensus yet but two-track approach on IHR amendment and pandemic treaty proposed
  by TWN (09 Oct 21)
• Netherlands: ACM decision on abuse of market exclusivity & excessive pricing
  by Shiju Mazhuvanchery (08 Oct 21)
• WTO DG delivers mixed signals for MC12
  by D. Ravi Kanth (07 Oct 21)
• South Africa's President calls for delivering on TRIPS waiver at MC12
  by D. Ravi Kanth (05 Oct 21)
• Whose drug is it anyway?
  by Merrill Goozner (05 Oct 21)
• WHO: "Significant Divergence" among Member States on proposed Pandemic Treaty and IHR Strengthening
  by Nithin Ramakrishnan & K M Gopakumar (04 Oct 21)
• Webinar: Access Barriers to Covid-19 Therapeutics & Diagnostics: A Case for TRIPS Waiver
  (04 Oct 21)
• A Pandemic Treaty - In Whose Interest? (EC envisages a framework convention with binding and non-binding provisions)
  (03 Oct 21)
• Trends and strategies in the use of competition law to promote innovation of and affordable access to health technologies
  (30 Sept 21)
• Covid-19: Need for greater inclusion of indigenous peoples in recovery process
  by Kanaga Raja (24 Sept 21)
• UN: Asia-Pacific LDCs highlight challenges amid pandemic & graduation
  by Prerna Bomzan (21 Sept 21)
• New publication: Pharmaceutical patents, the LDC exemption and Bangladesh
  (20 Sept 21)
• Sign on Letter on Principles for Fair Channeling of SDRs
  (16 Sept 21)
• EU, Switzerland, UK continue opposition, amid support for TRIPS waiver
  by D. Ravi Kanth (16 Sept 21)
• Candidates for German Chancellor called to waive IP rules for COVID vaccines
  (15 Sept 21)
• Today High Level Dialogue -TRIPS Waiver
  (13 Sept 21)
• VIRTUAL LAUNCH | SPOTLIGHT REPORT 2021: Demanding Justice Beyond Rhetoric
  (09 Sept 21)
• WTO: Opposition to inclusion of export restrictions in Covid-19 response
  by D. Ravi Kanth (08 Sept 21)
• WHO: Working Group Bureau questions on pandemic treaty prejudge outcome
  by Nithin Ramakrishnan & K M Gopakumar (02 Sept 21)
• UN Monitor #27: UN Convenes CSO Consultation for LDC5
  by Global Policy Watch (25 Aug 21)
• TRIPS waiver proposal being undermined by EU at WTO
  by D. Ravi Kanth (10 Aug 21)
• TPRB report counters "gloomy" narrative on Covid-related measures
  by D. Ravi Kanth (03 Aug 21)
• Alarm over inclusion of market access approaches to tackle Covid-19
  by D. Ravi Kanth (30 Jul 21)
• Labour: Women disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
  by Kanaga Raja (26 Jul 21)
• WTO-WHO Dialogue hears call to treat "patents & profits" as second priority due to COVID-19
  by D. Ravi Kanth (23 Jul 21)
• COVID-19: WTO & WHO hold meet with Big Pharma on access to vaccines
  by D. Ravi Kanth (22 Jul 21)
• Co-sponsors remain upbeat on progressing on TRIPS waiver at WTO
  by D. Ravi Kanth (18 Jul 21)
• Heard during UN LDC5 preparations
  by Alexa Sabatini (17 Jul 21)
• TRIPS Waiver support by over 100 International IP Academics
  (16 Jul 21)
• WHO: New TWN report on proposed pandemic treaty / Working Group to hold discussions on pandemic treaty possibility
  by Nithin Ramakrishnan & K M Gopakumar (14 Jul 21)
• Progress in TRIPS waiver talks despite new hurdles created by EU
  by D. Ravi Kanth (08 Jul 21)
• WEBINAR: Challenging Patent Barriers in Accessing New TB Treatments
  (28 Jun 21)
• New TWN Briefing paper: Trade secrets protection and vaccines: The role of medicine regulatory agencies
  by K M Gopakumar, Chetali Rao & Sangeeta Shashikant (25 Jun 21)
• UN: Vaccines against COVID-19 must be considered a global public good
  by Kanaga Raja (23 Jun 21)
• Developing countries remain upbeat on TRIPS waiver negotiations
  by D. Ravi Kanth (21 Jun 21)
• New UNCTAD SG focuses on vaccination & policy space for South
  by D. Ravi Kanth (18 Jun 21)
• United Nations: Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica appointed as UNCTAD SG
  by Kanaga Raja (15 Jun 21)
• WTO Members agree to text-based negotiations on revised TRIPS waiver
  by D. Ravi Kanth (11 Jun 21)
• EU proposal seeks to derail TRIPS waiver discussions at WTO
  by D. Ravi Kanth (08 Jun 21)
• Revised TRIPS waiver bolsters demand for text-based talks at WTO
  by D. Ravi Kanth (03 Jun 21)
• WHO: Special World Health Assembly session proposed on "pandemic treaty"
  by Nithin Ramakrishnan & K M Gopakumar (27 May 21)
• COVAX: a global multistakeholder group that poses political and health risks to developing countries and multilateralism
  (26 May 21)
• Co-sponsors of TRIPS waiver proposal call for solidarity at WTO
  by D. Ravi Kanth (19 May 21)
• WHO: Should Members Pursue a Pandemic Treaty, In the Midst of a Global Pandemic?
  by Nithin Ramakrishnan, K M Gopakumar & Sangeeta Shashikant (12 May 21)
• Door opens for TRIPS waiver textual negotiations
  by D. Ravi Kanth (12 May 21)
• Brazil: Court rules against patent extension provision
  by Lean Ka-Min (11 May 21)
• WTO members welcome US decision on TRIPS waiver
  by D. Ravi Kanth (10 May 21)
• In "monumental" decision, US expresses support for TRIPS waiver
  by D. Ravi Kanth (07 May 21)
• USTR plans to visit Geneva to discuss TRIPS waiver
  by D. Ravi Kanth (04 May 21)
• High Level Dialogue TRIPS Waiver (4 May, 3.30pm CEST)
  (01 May 21)
• Academics letter to USTR and EU Trade Commissioner on LDC Transition Period
  (27 Apr 21)
• Big Pharma to block TRIPS waiver at WTO, citing China & Russia
  by D. Ravi Kanth (27 Apr 21)
• TRIPS waiver proposal being held hostage on "ideological" grounds
  by D. Ravi Kanth (24 Apr 21)
• Vaccine equity event enabled "frank" discussions, claims WTO DG
  by D. Ravi Kanth (21 Apr 21)
• United Nations: COVID-19 has significant impact on Palestinian economy
  by Kanaga Raja (19 Apr 21)
• WTO DG's vaccine event marked by sharply differing perspectives
  by D. Ravi Kanth (17 Apr 21)
• CSOs challenge DG’s “third way”, as USTR discusses TRIPS waiver
  by D. Ravi Kanth (16 Apr 21)
• UN: COVID-19 has devastating impact on healthcare in Africa & Asia
  by Kanaga Raja (14 Apr 21)
• WTO-TRIPS waiver: "Third Way" Set to Reinforce Status Quo?
  by D. Ravi Kanth (12 Apr 21)
• UPDATED: Attempts to slow down discussions on TRIPS waiver at WTO
  by D. Ravi Kanth (10 Apr 21)
• Leaders want to address future pandemics while ignoring COVID-19
  by D. Ravi Kanth (31 Mar 21)
• UN: HRC calls for equitable & universal access to COVID-19 vaccines
  by Kanaga Raja (25 Mar 21)
• Over 250 CSOs & researchers join call in support of TRIPS waiver
  by D. Ravi Kanth (24 Mar 21)
• Updated TWN Briefing paper on International negotiations by virtual means in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic
  (24 Mar 21)
• International Research Organizations Support WTO TRIPS Waiver for COVID-19
  (22 Mar 21)
• WHO DG criticizes countries "putting lives at risk" in Covid-19 fight
  by D. Ravi Kanth (16 Mar 21)
• Strong support for TRIPS waiver amidst opposition by Big Pharma
  by D. Ravi Kanth (12 Mar 21)
• Seven countries urge WTO DG to hold direct talks with Big Pharma
  by D. Ravi Kanth (11 Mar 21)
• WTO DG's "third way" to fight COVID-19 a tough sell
  by Biswajit Dhar & K M Gopakumar (10 Mar 21)
• WTO DG meets Big Pharma and opts for voluntary licenses
  by D. Ravi Kanth (10 Mar 21)
• COVID-19: WHO DG calls for triggering of TRIPS waiver at WTO
  by D. Ravi Kanth (09 Mar 21)
• South countries demand text-based negotiations on TRIPS waiver
  by D. Ravi Kanth (03 Mar 21)
• Over 100 EU MEPs call for a TRIPS Waiver
  (26 Feb 21)
• Two-thirds of WTO members issue call for a TRIPS waiver
  by D. Ravi Kanth (25 Feb 21)
• COVID-19: Addressing pandemic-induced global medical supply issues
  by Lim Chee Han (25 Feb 21)
• WHO Exec Board discussion on pathogen sharing & benefit sharing / “Biohub"
  (24 Feb 21)
• US lawmakers urge Biden to support TRIPS waiver proposal at WTO
  by D. Ravi Kanth (22 Feb 21)
• UN: COVID-19 crisis exacerbating inequalities, undermining human rights
  by Kanaga Raja (19 Feb 21)
• WTO dithers on TRIPS waiver even as global gaps in COVID-19 vaccine access grow
  by KM Gopakumar & Chetali Rao (10 Feb 21)
• Developing countries call for text-based negotiations on TRIPS waiver
  by D. Ravi Kanth (08 Feb 21)
• Several Ministers bring TRIPS waiver to center stage at ministerial meet
  by D. Ravi Kanth (02 Feb 21)
• "Global approach" based on TRIPS waiver needed to combat Covid-19
  by D. Ravi Kanth (29 Jan 21)
• COVID-19: Vaccines war underscores need for TRIPS waiver at WTO
  by D. Ravi Kanth (29 Jan 21)
• Proponents of TRIPS waiver call for text-based negotiations
  by D. Ravi Kanth (25 Jan 21)
• COVID-19: Global "moral failure" in distribution of vaccines, says WHO DG
  by D. Ravi Kanth (20 Jan 21)
• Proponents of TRIPS waiver issue documents to facilitate discussions
  by D. Ravi Kanth (19 Jan 21)
• COVID-19: Need for global effort to secure access to safe & effective vaccines
  by IPS/Ilze Brands Kehris (19 Jan 21)
• COVID-19 benefit sharing: WHO to discuss public health implications of Nagoya Protocol implementation
  (17 Jan 21)
• Opponents of TRIPS waiver asked to respond to questions by proponents
  by D. Ravi Kanth (15 Jan 21)
• Questions swirl about proposed WHO pathogen collection
  by Edward Hammond (06 Jan 21)