Intellectual Property and Public Health
Scientific and technological innovation has contributed to significant improvements in health conditions. But health crises, relating in particular to HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and, most recently, avian influenza, continue to create major problems in many parts of the world. In various national and international fora, solutions are sought in respect of the role of patents in pharmaceutical innovation and fair and affordable access to health care. The patent system is designed to promote innovation and, at the same time, offer a mechanism ensuring that the fruits of that innovation are accessible to society. The challenge for policy makers is to appropriately take into consideration both the rights of patent owners and the needs of the public to achieve the overall goal of promoting health care innovation and making innovative technology accessible, particularly where it is urgently needed.
- Working Paper on Patent issues related to influenza viruses and their genes, prepared by WIPO at the request of the World Health Organization, October 2007 [PDF]
- Human health and the IP system: Innovation, access and public welfare Working draft, An overview of the issues [PDF]
- Symposium on Current Issues in Intellectual Property and Public Health (September 19, 2007)
- FAQ on Avian Flu [PDF]
- Submissions to the WHO Commission on Intellectual Property, Innovation and Public Health (CIPIH)
