(HNM) - The World Health Organization (WHO), on February 1, sent to member countries as well as non-governmental organizations a draft agreement on global pandemics, which mentions measures measures to ensure that the world responds more strongly and equitably should the next pandemic occur. According to the draft, governments may have to reserve drugs and vaccines for WHO to distribute to poor countries, to avoid repeating failures like the recent Covid-19 pandemic.
One of the most specific proposals in the draft is the stockpiling of about 20% of tests, vaccines or treatments developed for use in poor countries. The draft also retains some previous provisions requiring pharmaceutical companies to disclose details of public contracts for vaccines and treatments in global health emergencies.
The document also proposes that disease symptoms, treatments and vaccines developed from WHO data be shared equitably, including a provision allowing WHO to obtain any output of 20%, including 10% is donated and 10% is sold at an affordable price, for use in developing countries. The above solution is to avoid countries sharing data during an epidemic outbreak from not having access to countermeasures developed from the use of these data.
The global pandemic agreement was jointly drafted by WHO member countries and will have to go through a lengthy negotiation process before final approval. Negotiations on this draft agreement will begin on February 27 and are expected to last until 2024. WHO member countries agree that this agreement will be legally binding on countries. participate in the signing.
Source: Ministry of Health
