Pan-American stakeholders speak out on innovation and public health
PAHO delegates advised to protect the health of future generations by fostering a strong environment for medical innovation throughout the Americas
(News release circulated by the Creative and Innovative Economy Center at the George Washington University Law School and the National Hispanic Medical Association)
Washington, D.C. (September 30, 2008) – Today, key healthcare stakeholders from across the Americas came together to send a unified message to members of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) – protect the health of future generations by fostering a strong environment for medical innovation. This statement coincides with the gathering of PAHO delegates in Washington D.C. for their annual assembly where they will discuss, amongst other topics, the World Health Organization’s draft strategy on public health, innovation and intellectual property.
“The WHO’s proposed strategy was intended to address the need for new treatments and to improve access to medicines in developing countries. While we certainly support this objective, we are among many patient groups who fear that components of the proposed plan will have serious negative consequences for patients in developed and developing countries,” said James Sykes, Director of Global Programs, Policy and Advocacy for The AIDS Institute.
“Medicines that patients are using today, whether they are patented medicines or generic copies, are available because of policies and laws that encourage innovation,” said the Honorable Ralph Oman, Fellow of the Creative and Innovative Economy Center at George Washington University Law School and former U.S. Register of Copyrights. “Strong patent rules and other appropriate incentives that encourage pharmaceutical research, development and innovation offer the best hope to patients with life threatening diseases.”
“As medical practitioners, we see firsthand the benefits conferred by innovative pharmaceutical therapies,” said Elena Rios, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association. “We recommend that PAHO support measures that maintain intellectual property rights and encourage innovation while improving access to medicines.”
“The focus of PAHO’s efforts to improve access to medicines and healthcare, which is of particular importance to patients in Latin America, should be less on intellectual property, and more on creating long-term solutions,” said Elena Alvarado, President and CEO of the National Latina Health Network. “This will require a multi-faceted approach that tackles poverty, lack of infrastructure, lack of health care workers and other basic barriers to access.”
“Public-private partnerships and technology transfer arrangements are just a few examples of the innovative collaborations taking place between the pharmaceutical industry, governments, NGOs, academics and other stakeholders to achieve a common goal – improving public health,” said Richard Kjeldgaard, Associate Vice President for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. “These initiatives complement the current IP system and have been effective in improving regional health outcomes.”
A Patient Declaration on Medical Innovation and Access further supports this call for the protection of a strong environment in the Americas for medical innovation. Signed by over 110 patients and patient representatives from 26 countries around the world, the Patient Declaration recommends that the WHO and PAHO:
- Ensure effective healthcare infrastructure in developing countries to help prevent disease and optimize use of medicines;
- Support strategies to improve access to safe treatments;
- Ensure strong incentives for continued R&D and innovation;
- Investigate and adopt other access initiatives such as the GAVI Alliance and public-private partnerships.
As the Pan-American Health Organization meets this week, it is important that delegates understand the importance of fostering a strong environment for medical innovation to protect the health of future generations.
This event was supported by PhRMA, which shares the stakeholders’ views on the need for a comprehensive approach to providing health care and innovative medicines in the Americas.
