Asked by: Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether it is her Department's policy to implement the recommendation in the report by the UN High Panel of Access to Medicines, Promoting innovation and access to health technologies, published in September 2016, that all publicly funded medical research should (a) prioritise public health over financial gain and (b) be open to the public to allow for further collaboration.
Answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm
DFID supports the aims of the recommendation of the UN High Level Panel on Access to Medicines. DFID is a long-term supporter of medical and health research, including research to develop new health technologies (including diagnostics, drugs and vaccines). The research funding is provided to organisations that (a) prioritise public health needs over profit and (b) comply with the Department’s open access policy, to enable wide access to findings and allow for further collaboration.
Asked by: Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether it is her Department's policy to implement the recommendation in the report by the UN High Panel of Access to Medicines, Promoting innovation and access to health technologies, published in September 2016, on improving standards of transparency in the pharmaceutical industry.
Answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm
While we support the aims of the UN High Level Panel on Access to Medicines, we note that this panel of experts could not reach consensus. DFID supports improving transparency in the pharmaceutical industry and funds the Access to Medicine Index to increase the transparency of pharmaceutical companies.
Asked by: Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government is taking on implementing the recommendations in the UN High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines report published in September 2016; and what the timescale is for that implementation.
Answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm
DFID supports the aims of the UN High Level Panel on Access to Medicines, but we note that this panel of experts could not reach consensus. The World Health Organisation has analysed the barriers that limit access to medicines, and developed a Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property. It is, therefore, well-placed to consider, with partners, which of the Panel’s recommendations add value.
Asked by: Alasdair McDonnell (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Belfast South)
Question to the Department for International Development:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, with reference to the UN High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines report published in September 2016, what progress her Department has made with other governments on establishing a global agreement on research and development.
Answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm
Through the World Health Assembly (WHA), member states have discussed practical steps for greater coordination of research, including the establishment of a global health observatory for monitoring and tracking research. Progress on the observatory and the establishment of a Global Expert Committee for Health Research and Development will be discussed with the WHO in early 2017.