Poor Countries Demand their Fair Share of Pandemic Vaccines

Things are getting interesting at the WHO Assembly - 17 countries have put forth a resolution demanding more equity.

"There is an unfair mechanism in which avian flu virus samples are provided free by developing countries but drug companies patented this vaccine and are selling them at unaffordable cost for the developing countries," said Indonesian Health Minister Siti Fadillah Supari.

Details of the resolution...

"Three countries which have recorded human bird flu cases -- Indonesia, Laos and Iraq -- are among the 17 sponsors of the resolution which will be debated at the assembly which ends May 23.

The text calls for ensuring 'the transparent, fair and equitable sharing of benefits" arising from information and biological specimens provided by countries. Any vaccines, diagnostics, antiviral agents and other medical supplies arising from the use of the virus...must be made available at an affordable price and in a timely manner to developing countries, particularly to those under the most serious threat of, or already experiencing a pandemic,' it said.

There must be 'prior informed consent' of the country contributing the virus, thereby giving it a say on the publishing of any findings and in commercial use. "