STATEMENT BY INDIA
On Agenda 3.7 - Global Strategy and Plan of Action on public health, innovation and intellectual property, at the 142 Session of the Executive Board of WHO, delivered by Dr. Sumit Seth, First Secretary on 25 January 2018
Thank You Mr. Chair,
India appreciates the report by the Director-General, regarding the overall programme review of the global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property. India would like to fully align itself with the sentiments expressed by Brazil.
Mr. Chair,
2. The delegation of India is of the opinion that the recommendations of the review panel identifying 33 priority action areas including 17 high-priority action areas across the eight elements of the GSPOA aims to provide greater specificity and focus towards effective implementation through measurable indicators.
Mr. Chair,
3. India believes that the primary hurdle in the implementation of GSPOA is the serious lack of funding. An increase in assessed contributions and untied voluntary contributions will go a long way in plugging the paucity of funds.
4. We appreciate the recommendations of the review panel on promotion of sustainable financial mechanisms. We need to particularly focus on newer incentivisation models such as the pull mechanism and push mechanisms. The prices of medical products should be delinked from the research and development costs. This is also one of the central thrust areas of the report of the United Nations Secretary-General's High-Level Panel on Access to Medicines.
Mr. Chair,
5. India strongly believes that the recommendations of the GSPOA on full use of the TRIPS flexibilities, promotion of research and development in health and maximizing health related innovations are imperative for addressing the public health needs of the developing countries and LDCs.
Mr. Chair,
6. India stands committed to extending full support to WHO on the full implementation of GSPOA and ensuring that Health R&D is needs-driven rather than market-driven.
Thank You.
