Editorial of the Day (29th Mar): WHO Pandemic Agreement

Context: The World Health Organization Pandemic Agreement might be in jeopardy of failing.

WHO Pandemic Agreement: An Overview

• Origin: Announced in March 2021 by world leaders, it’s being developed by the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Goal: Strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, with a focus on equity.
  • Respond to the disparities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including preparedness and international coordination.

Key Features

• Addresses issues like:
  • Pathogen surveillance
  • Healthcare workforce capacity
  • Supply chain and logistics
  • Technology transfer for vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments
  • Antimicrobial resistance management
  • Strengthening health systems and sanitation
  • Universal health coverage
• Establishment of a WHO Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System for sharing pathogens and research benefits.
• Proposed a Conference of Parties (COP) to oversee implementation.

Concerns with the WHO Pandemic Agreement

• Data Sharing vs. Benefit Sharing:
  • Developing countries’ concern: countries hesitate to share pathogen data (spread and evolution) without guaranteed access to research benefits like vaccines.
  • COVID-19 impact: “Vaccine nationalism” during the pandemic worsened this concern.
• The WHO Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System:
  • Proposed solution: A mechanism proposes a “quid pro quo” mechanism requiring countries to share genome sequence information with WHO in exchange for:
    • 10% free diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.
    • 10% at not-for-profit prices.
  • Disagreement:
    • Developing countries: A robust PABS system, especially for low- and middle-income nations, is crucial for equitable access to medical countermeasures.
    • Developed countries & pharmaceutical industry: Unhappy with the proposed benefit-sharing terms.
• Enforcement and Accountability:
  • Concern: The Agreement might be ineffective without strong enforcement mechanisms.
  • Example: Existing International Health Regulations (legally binding) failed to prevent issues during COVID-19 like:
    • Unjust travel/trade restrictions.
    • Hoarding of vaccines and medical supplies.
  • Uncertainties:
    • Whether negotiators will agree on a decision-making body (COP with secretariat).
    • Effectiveness of such a body.
• Intellectual Property (IP) Waivers: A proposal requiring companies receiving public funding to waive or reduce IP royalties on their products is a sticking point.

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Looking Ahead

• Negotiation Deadline: The deadline for this agreement is set for the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024.
• Challenges:
  • Reaching consensus, potentially leading to a watered-down agreement.
  • Wording around contentious issues like IP waivers might be weakened using phrases like “national circumstances” and “best endeavour”.
• Importance of Agreement:
  • A critical step for rebuilding trust and international coordination.
  • Acknowledges the global nature of pandemic threats.
  • Failure to reach an agreement would be a setback.

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