WHO Pandemic Treaty - What is the way forward? Solutions for Bridging the Gap to Equitable Access to Pandemic-related Medical Products

WHO Pandemic Treaty - What is the way forward? Solutions for Bridging the Gap to Equitable Access to Pandemic-related Medical Products

• Covington & Burling LLP, Manhattan 21, Avenue du Boulevard, Brussels
• Thursday, June 27, 2024 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM CET

On June 27, Yuliya Gevrenova will participate in the "WHO Pandemic Treaty - What is the way forward? Solutions for Bridging the Gap to Equitable Access to Pandemic-related Medical Products."

Click here for additional information and to register.

The idea for a World Health Organisation (WHO) Pandemic Treaty was born out of the Covid-19 pandemic which revealed the global challenges in preparing for and responding to pandemic health emergencies. Many of the issues encountered in the pandemic fell beyond the scope of the existing International Health Regulations (IHR), such as the equitable access to pandemic-related health products and the sharing of pathogen and genome sequencing data (GSD). The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) was mandated to deliver a Pandemic Treaty aimed at addressing these gaps and providing a framework for the collaboration of the State Parties in the course of a pandemic.

Over the last two years, negotiations for the treaty have been challenging and turbulent with many ups and downs. It crystalised that creating a system, which guarantees “equatable access” to pandemic-related health products is a complex issue, covering topics such as Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing, Supply Chain and Logistics, Research and Development Conditionalities, Tech Transfer, OneHealth, and financing, among others. Although the INB had extended negotiation talks until the last minute before the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA), a compromise was not reached. Instead, WHO members are currently discussing the way forward and whether to continue with the INB negotiation process. Regardless of the WHA decision, the issues surrounding adequate response to the next pandemic will not be solved unless the international community takes proactive steps for real change.