PANDEMIC PACT REMAINS WORK IN PROGRESS

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THE CONTEXT: The world pandemic agreement, currently under negotiation since the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to protect the world from future pandemic emergencies and ensure better preparedness. The agreement seeks to “strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response” with a focus on equity. The World Health Assembly (WHA) has decided to continue negotiations among 194 countries, aiming to finalize the agreement by next year.

THE ISSUES:

• Equity in Pandemic Response: The agreement aims to ensure equitable access to medical products, technology transfer, and benefit-sharing to bridge the gap between rich and poor countries in pandemic preparedness and response.
• Pathogen Surveillance and Data Sharing: There is significant disagreement over sharing pathogens and their genetic codes. Developing countries are hesitant to share such data without guaranteed access to the benefits derived from related research.
• Intellectual Property Rights: Developed countries have concerns about waivers of intellectual property rights, which are crucial for the production and distribution of vaccines, tests, and treatments.
• Financing: The issue of financing pandemic preparedness and response measures is a significant point of contention, with developed countries having reservations about the financial commitments required.
• Implementation and Oversight: The proposal to establish a Conference of Parties (COP) to oversee the agreement’s implementation is critical, ensuring that the provisions are effectively implemented and monitored.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Pathogen and Genetic Code Sharing with Benefit-Sharing Mechanisms: Implement a structured Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system that ensures equitable sharing of benefits derived from pathogen research. WHO’s Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework can serve as a model. It ensures that countries sharing influenza viruses receive benefits such as vaccines and antivirals. The Nagaya protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity emphasizes fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, which can be adapted for pathogen sharing.
• Innovative Financing Mechanisms: Establish a dedicated Pandemic Fund to provide financial support for pandemic preparedness and response, particularly for low- and middle-income countries. The Pandemic Fund, established by the World Bank, provides long-term financing to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response capabilities in low- and middle-income countries.
• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Flexibilities: To ensure rapid and equitable access during emergencies, incorporate time-bound waivers of intellectual property rights for pandemic-related products. The Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed for the temporary suspension of certain IP rights to facilitate access to vaccines and treatments. Encourage voluntary licensing agreements, such as Pfizer and Merck’s licensing of COVID-19 treatments to the Medicines Patent Pool, which enabled generic production.
• Strengthening Health Systems and Universal Health Coverage: Commit to strengthening health systems and achieving universal health coverage to ensure resilience against future pandemics. WHO emphasizes the importance of UHC in ensuring that all individuals have access to necessary health services without financial hardship. The EU’s strategy focuses on building resilient health systems and ensuring equitable access to healthcare, which can be a guiding framework.
• Establishment of a Conference of Parties (COP): Set up a Conference of Parties (COP) to oversee the implementation and compliance of the pandemic agreement, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP meetings provide a successful model for international cooperation and responsibility in addressing global challenges. WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHR) Review Committee can serve as a model for periodic assessment and improvement of the pandemic agreement.

THE CONCLUSION:

While developing countries generally support the draft text, developed countries have raised concerns regarding financing and intellectual property rights. The challenge lies in reaching a consensus without diluting the agreement’s provisions. The world must collaborate on this agreement, as the threat it addresses is global.

UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTIONS:

Q.1 What is the research in developmental achievements in applied biotechnology? How will these achievements help to uplift the poor sections of the society? 2021

Q.2 What do you understand by nanotechnology, and how is it helping in the health sector? 2020

Q.3 The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are readily available to win over the crisis. Give an account of how technology was sought to manage the pandemic. 2020

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q.1 The ongoing negotiations for a world pandemic agreement aim to strengthen global pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response with equity as a central goal. Discuss the critical elements of the draft negotiating text and the challenges in reaching a consensus. How can the international community ensure that the agreement effectively addresses the disparities observed during the Covid-19 pandemic?

SOURCE:

https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/editorial/pandemic-pact-remains-work-in-progress-3054624