Statement by India at the 142nd Session of the Executive Board (EB) of the World Health Organization (22nd to 27th January 2018) on Agenda item 3.6: Addressing the global shortage of, and access to, medicines and vaccines, delivered by Sh. Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. [WHO HQ, Geneva, 24th January 2018]

Thank you Mr. Chair,

India strongly believes that ensuring availability, accessibility, affordability and acceptability of medicines and vaccines in the developing countries and LDCs is the most topical and relevant issue in the global health dialogue.

Mr. Chair,

2. The report of the 1st World Conference on Access to Medical products and International Laws for Trade and Health, held in India last year, makes specific recommendations for National governments , WHO and other International organizations.

3. India has showcased strong commitment to strengthen and build capacity of the National Regulatory authorities and drug testing laboratories and has launched various national schemes to make drugs accessible and affordable.

Mr. Chair,

4. India proposes that global shortage and access are two separate issues and must be treated as separate agenda items, as merging them dilutes the focus on addressing the problem.

5. India is of the view that equitable access to medicines is denied due to market distortions and price barriers to procurement which may include IP provisions, extremely tight regulatory standards and monopolies.

6. Delegation of India would request for a detailed discussion on the recommendations of the UNSG’s HLP Report on access to medicines, particularly with respect to the use of TRIPS flexibilities.

7. India once again reiterates that the use of the term “fair pricing” in isolation in the GPW draft and DG’s Report quantifies the issue of access in terms of profit incentive and needs to be avoided.

Mr. Chair,

8. Greater transparency can be brought in by expansion of the Medicines Patent Pool.

9. Secretariat’s report needs to be based on a broader view of the cause of shortages rather than focusing solely on supply chain malfunctions. 

Mr Chair,

10. Health being a merit good, greater global cooperation is needed to evolve a mechanism that delinks the cost of R&D from end prices to promote access to good health for all.

11. We propose that WHO should set up a special fund to advance R&D on medicines and vaccines, on diseases mainly affecting the developing countries and LDCs.

12. Due importance and promotion needs to be given to the traditional forms of medicine and vaccination for their larger acceptability in the local populace and cost effectiveness.

Mr. Chair,

13. India’s credentials as a reliable producer of quality and low-cost medicines and vaccines are well established. India is committed to play a proactive role in the endeavour to address the global shortage of and access to, medicines and vaccines.

Thank You.