an Eldis Resource
Public Health Innovation and Intellectual Property Rights
How intellectual property rights affect public health
Authors:
Reiko Aoki; Martin Auton; Shabir Banoo
Publisher:
World Health Organization , 2006
This report, published by the World Health Organisation's Commission on Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation and Public Health, considers the relationship between intellectual property rights, innovation and public health. The authors recognise that whereas in recent years there has been a rapid increase globally in technological and economic potential, implying an enhanced ability to overcome problems related to poverty and poor health, there has also been an actual deterioration in health status in many developing countries, largely as a result of HIV and AIDS but also because of a resurgence in other infectious diseases and a growing burden of noncommunicable diseases.
The authors accept that intellectual property rights are a general incentive provided by governments to promote innovation in all fields. However, the authors assert that there may be the need for other incentives and financial mechanisms, and for collaboration between different stakeholders.
In conclusion, the authors recommend key actions needed to ensure that poor people in developing countries have access to existing and new health products to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases that affect them most. Additionally, the authors recommend that the WHO should develop a Global Plan of Action to secure enhanced and sustainable funding for developing and making accessible products to address diseases that disproportionately affect people in developing countries.
