Leading experts in the fields of intellectual property (IP) and public health will conclude today a two-day UNCTAD seminar in Geneva that studies the complex issues involved in enabling developing countries to produce affordable essential medicines for their populations. In particular, the participants are analyzing the implications of intellectual property standards for developing country efforts to set up the practical, legal, and regulatory systems that allow the successful production and distribution of essential medicines.
The seminar is based on a mandate from the Commission on Investment, Technology and Related Financial Issues that UNCTAD "should, within its work programme on investment, technology transfer and intellectual property, assess ways in which developing countries can develop their domestic productive capability in the supply of essential drugs in cooperation with pharmaceutical companies."
Yesterday, discussions centred on the interactions between IP and other public health-related policies such as the appropriate trade and fiscal frameworks for medicines, drugs procurement, licensing agreements on pharmaceutical production, and marketing approvals for pharmaceutical products.
The seminar continues today, with discussions focussing on future strategies to improve developing country public health policies. Experts will assess the viability and feasibility of local pharmaceutical production. They also will examine how increased regional cooperation can be established between developing countries in the areas of drug procurement, harmonization of marketing approval standards, and the creation of market-based incentives for the pharmaceutical industry, with particular reference to intellectual property mechanisms.
The seminar is being held in Room XXVI of the Palais des Nations, Geneva.
