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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Joel Lexchin, MD, York University, School of Health Policy and Management, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada, 416-736-2100 x 22119, jlexchin@yorku.ca

Issues: The current patent based approach to the development of new drugs has meant that there is no economic motivation for pharmaceutical companies to develop drugs for low-income populations. From 1975 to 1997 only 1% of the new drugs introduced onto the market were for tropical diseases. Description: In the past few years alternate approaches to support innovation in new medicines and other health technologies have been proposed and in some cases (for example, public-private partnerships) initiated in areas such as malaria prevention and treatment. In a continuation of this effort a resolution will be introduced at the May 2006 meeting of the World Health Assembly seeking the establishment of a global framework for supporting essential medical research and development predicated upon the principle of equitable sharing of the costs of research and development, and incentives to invest in useful research and development in the areas of patients' need and public interest.Lessons Learned: This presentation will analyze the contents of the resolution and develop an understanding of how its implementation could affect research into new therapeutic approaches for diseases that are primarily of concern in the developing world. Recommendations: How can the ideas embodied in this resolution be practically implemented? What are the roles for the World Health Organization and individual member states? How can a sustainable system be developed? These and other questions will be highlighted.

Learning Objectives:

• 1) Identify at least two attributes of the current research and development system for pharmaceuticals.
• 2) Explain how the new World Health Assembly resolution on research and development for pharmaceuticals would affect the development of AIDS drugs.
• 3) Describe how this World Health Assembly resolution would affect access to AIDS drugs.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation