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Volume 14, Number 1—January 2008
Perspective

Influenza Virus Samples, International Law, and Global Health Diplomacy

David P. Fidler*Comments to Author 
Author affiliation: *Indiana University School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana, USA

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Table

Summary of actions that World Heath Organization member states requested of director-general

To identify and propose, in consultation with member states, frameworks and mechanisms that aim to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits among all member states, taking strongly into consideration the specific needs of developing countries
To establish, in consultation with member states, an international stockpile of vaccines for influenza (H5N1) or other influenza viruses of pandemic potential
To formulate mechanisms and guidelines, in consultation with member states, aimed at ensuring fair and equitable distribution of pandemic influenza vaccines at affordable prices in the event of a pandemic to ensure timely availability of such vaccines to member states in need
To mobilize financial, technical, and other appropriate support from member states, vaccine manufacturers, development banks, charitable organizations, private donors, and others to implement mechanisms and increase the equitable sharing of benefits as described in the resolution
To convene an interdisciplinary working group to revise the terms of reference of WHO Collaborating Centers, H5 Reference Laboratories, and national influenza centers, devise oversight mechanisms, formulate draft standard terms and conditions for sharing viruses between originating countries and WHO Collaborating Centers, between the latter and third parties, and to review all relevant documents for sharing influenza viruses and sequencing data, based on mutual trust, transparency, and overriding principles
To assure a member of the interdisciplinary working group consisting of 4 member states from each of the 6 WHO regions, taking into account balanced representation between industrialized and developing countries and including both experts and policymakers
To convene an intergovernmental meeting to consider the reports by the director-general and by the interdisciplinary working group, which shall be open to all member states and regional economic organizations
To commission an expert report on the patent issues related to influenza viruses and their genes, and report to the intergovernmental meeting
To continue work with member states on the potential for conversion of existing biological facilities, such as those for the production of veterinary vaccines, so as to meet the standards for development and production of human vaccines, thereby increasing the availability of pandemic vaccines, and to enable them to receive vaccine seed strains
To report on progress on implementation of the resolution to the World Health Assembly

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Page created: July 08, 2010
Page updated: July 08, 2010
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The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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