#19: Drug Licensing and the Pandemic Accord

04/28/24 • 39 min

In this week’s episode, we look at Colombia's recent move in issuing its first compulsory license. The country challenged ViiV Healthcare's monopoly on their patented drug, dolutegravir, an HIV therapeutic, in an attempt to open doors for affordable generic versions and thus improve accessibility & affordability.

We explore the nuances of licensing mechanisms - voluntary agreements & compulsory licenses. We discuss their impact on public health and innovation, drawing parallels with past instances. We also delve into the proposed European Union-wide Compulsory Licence and industry perspectives on intellectual property. Hard subject here - and as someone who started out in Pharma I find it hard to put full advocacy behind non-market driven mechanisms. But what does the data say?

1. Sudan - https://www.rescue.org/article/fighting-sudan-what-you-need-know-about-crisis
Sign up to the Global Health Conversations Newsletter! :)
2. Colombia issues compulsory license for https://healthpolicy-watch.news/colombia-issues-compulsory-license-to-get-key-generic-hiv-medicine-dolutegravir/#:~:text=The%20government%20of%20Colombia%20has,the%20patent%20owner%2C%20ViiV%20Healthcare.

3. ViiV HEALTHCARE STATEMENT ON COMPULSORY LICENCE FOR DOLUTEGRAVIR IN COLOMBIA https://viivhealthcare.com/hiv-news-and-media/news/company-statements/viiv-healthcare-statement-on-compulsory-licence-for-dolutegravir-in-colombia/
4. MPP agreement https://medicinespatentpool.org/licence-post/dolutegravir-adult-dtg

5. Draft WHO Pandemic Agreement - March 2024 - https://apps.who.int/gb/inb/pdf_files/inb9/A_inb9_3-en.pdf

6. Proposal for article 11b - https://www.southcentre.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SV261_240423.pdf

7. Paper - Access to medicines after TRIPS: Is compulsory licensing an effective mechanism to lower drug prices? A review of the existing evidence - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7468182/

8. IFPMA non comprehensive list of voluntary licenses and non-assert declarations: https://www.ifpma.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/i2023_2010_07_28_IFPMA_Statement_VoluntaryLicensing_NonAssert_28Ju.pdf

9. How The EU Prepares For the Next Global Pandemic Domestically: An Examination of the Union Compulsory Licence https://genevahealthfiles.substack.com/p/how-the-eu-prepares-for-the-next?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=79396&post_id=143395445&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1zo8cv&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
10. GSK position on IP:

Support the show

5. Draft WHO Pandemic Agreement - March 2024 - https://apps.who.int/gb/inb/pdf_files/inb9/A_inb9_3-en.pdf

6. Proposal for article 11b - https://www.southcentre.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SV261_240423.pdf

Support the show

Previous Episode

#18: Prioritising Oral Health in Public Health (ft. Ema Prohić) - Part 2

This is Part 2 of our 2 Part interview.
Listen here for Part 1:
- Listen here on Spotify
- Listen here on Apple Podcasts
- Listen here on Audible
Today I interview Ema Prohić and we discuss proper teeth brushing, systemic issues in dental care and continue on the theme of the true cost of oral health. Drawing on her experience in different health systems, we discuss the financing of dental procedures, dentist fear and how to avoid the most common oral health pitfalls. We also discuss a public health project that I lead back in 2020 with the Ministry of Health Qatar and PHCC wherein she focussed on integrating oral health into a primary care program. This is Part 1 of a super conversation this season. And you won't want to miss it.
Ema is a doctor of dental medicine from Croatia, currently undertaking her specialization in orthodontics and facial orthopedics in Barcelona, Spain. She started her professional career as a dentist in the UK after completing her MSc in International Health Management at Imperial College Business School and has continued working in the UK in several dental practices as an NHS and private practitioner.
Join The Conversation - Sign up to the Global Health conversations newsletter: Check out the newsletter
Contact me: [email protected]

Support the show

Next Episode

#20: The Profitability of Skinny - How Semaglutides made Novo Nordisk Europe's most profitable company

In this episode, we explore the economics of thinness and the phenomenal rise of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the weight loss market. Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company behind Ozempic and Wegovy, has become Europe's most profitable company, surpassing even the luxury giant LVMH. We delve into the social and economic capital associated with thinness, examining how societal attitudes toward body image drive the profitability of weight loss drugs.

We also break down the science behind GLP-1 receptor agonists, including their mechanisms and market dynamics. We'll discuss the first-in-class drugs like Saxenda, and best-in-class competitors such as Trulicity and Mounjaro. Novo Nordisk’s strategic business moves, including their significant investment in R&D and marketing, have cemented their market dominance. Additionally, we highlight the broader implications of these drugs on global health and their potential for continued growth in a competitive landscape.
Resources