The drafting group has finished its work, and below is the “Final” text on the “Decisions Point” that will accompany the resolution on the CEWG work, it is very similar to the text from Friday, but stronger in some areas and perhaps not as good in some others. For example, on the topic of the finance mechanism, reference to “voluntary” has been eliminated.
Friday text: “demonstrate voluntary and sustainable financing mechanism.”
Saturday text: “propose and foster financing mechanisms including innovative, sustainable and pooled funding.”
On the topic of the selection of experts, the DG has broad discretion.
Friday text: “The Director-General shall invite experts from relevant health R&D fields and experts with experience in managing funds for research and development. The Director-General shall ensure regional representation and diversity of expertise and experience.”
Saturday text: “The Director-General shall invite experts from relevant health R&D fields and experts with experience in managing funds for research and development while safeguarding WHO and public health from undue influence by any form of real, perceived or potential conflicts of interest.”
On the topic of the openness of the meeting, things are not that clear, but unfortunately, it may be closed to NGOs or the public. I don’t think this is a good outcome. Here are a few other differences between Friday and Saturday.
On delinkage, a small tweak.
Friday text: “emphasize the de-linkage of cost of R&D from product price;”
Saturday text: “promote the de-linkage of the cost of R&D from product price;”
On open source, a small tweak.
Friday text: “utilize collaborative and open-knowledge approach to R&D for coordination;”
Saturday text: “utilize collaborative approaches, including open-knowledge approaches, for R&D coordination;
On scope of research, there are some changes.
Friday text: “address identified gaps that disproportionally affect developing countries, particularly the poor, and for which immediate action can be taken;
Saturday text: “address identified R&D gaps related to discovery, development and/or delivery, including promising product pipelines, for diseases that disproportionally affect developing countries, particularly the poor, and for which immediate action can be taken;”
Here is the text that will probably be approved on Monday.
DECISIONS POINTThe World Health Assembly requested the Director-General, in order to take forward action in relation to monitoring, coordination and financing for health R&D and in line with Resolution A66/23, to convene a technical consultative meeting over 2-3 days in order to assist in the identification of demonstration projects that:
- address identified R&D gaps related to discovery, development and/or delivery, including promising product pipelines, for diseases that disproportionally affect developing countries, particularly the poor, and for which immediate action can be taken;
- utilize collaborative approaches, including open-knowledge approaches, for R&D coordination;
- promote the de-linkage of the cost of R&D from product price; and
- propose and foster financing mechanisms including innovative, sustainable and pooled funding.
The demonstration projects should provide evidence for long term sustainable solutions.
The meeting will be open to all Member States.[1] The Director-General shall invite experts from relevant health R&D fields and experts with experience in managing funds for research and development while safeguarding WHO and public health from undue influence by any form of real, perceived or potential conflicts of interest.
The Director-General shall consult with Regional Directors in accordance with established WHO practice to ensure regional representation and diversity of expertise and experience.
The meeting will be in two parts: firstly a technical discussion among the experts followed by a briefing to and discussion by Member States.
The meeting should be held by the end of 2013. It should be complementary to the Regional consultations referred to in operative paragraphs 2(6) and 4(4) of Resolution A66/23.
A report of the meeting will be prepared and presented by the Director General to the 134th Executive Board.
[1] And, where applicable, regional economic interrogation organizations.
From the earlier version of the blog
May 24, 2013, 9PM version of the text for the CEWG “Decisions Point”
Below is the proposed text for the “Decisions Point” for the CEWG negotiations. The proposed text on de-linkage, open knowledge and sustainable financing signals a new level of engagement by WHO member states on new models for innovation. What is missing are references to technology transfer or capacity building in developing countries, a willingness to look at binding commitments on R&D financing, or references to the work of the CEWG. But the text does show considerable movement as regards delinkage and open collaborative R&D models, and it creates momentum and opportunities to advance all reform ideas.
24 May 2013, 9 PM Draft
DECISIONS POINT
In order to take forward action in relation to monitoring, coordination and financing for health R&D and in accordance with the terms of Resolution A66/23 a technical consultative meeting should be convened by the Director-General at the earliest possible date, over 2-3 days, in order to assist in the identification of demonstration projects that:
- address identified gaps that disproportionally affect developing countries, particularly the poor, and for which immediate action can be taken;
- utilize collaborative and open-knowledge approach to R&D for coordination;
- emphasize the de-linkage of cost of R&D from product price; and
- demonstrate voluntary and sustainable financing mechanism.
The demonstration projects should provide a model for future working and evidence for long term sustainable solutions.
The whole meeting will be open to all Member States. The Director-General shall invite experts from relevant health R&D fields and experts with experience in managing funds for research and development. The Director-General shall ensure regional representation and diversity of expertise and experience.
The meeting to be held in early 2014. It should be complementary and consistent with the Regional consultations referred to in operative paragraph 4(4) of Resolution A66/23. The meeting will be in two parts: firstly a technical discussion among the experts followed by a briefing to and discussion by Member States.
A report of the meeting will be prepared and presented by the Director General to the 67th World Health Assembly.