From May 21st to 26th, the 71st World Health Assembly in the framework of WHO will be held in Geneva, Switzerland. During the meeting, Commission A, responsible for establishing a global guideline on the drugs supply, will be working in parallel. They will work on the application of drug price control policies. It is expected that the final document will be presented in the next World Health Assembly, to be held in 2019.

Faced with the obstacles that WHO pointed out to guarantee access to drugs -including rising drug prices, the increase in substandard and counterfeit quality medical products- the international organization will work on the design of a timetable during the plenary session of WHO to guarantee access to quality drugs. Among the measures recommended by the member states are the application of pricing and financing policies, with the aim of encouraging national investment in universal coverage programs.

In turn, Commission A will work on a road map, with the aim of supporting the expansion of the Drugs Patent Pool (a foundation that negotiates licenses with holders of drugs for the production of generics) in order to include all antimicrobials. and patented drugs from the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines. Among other topics, WHO, in conjunction with WIPO and the WTO, will collaborate in the implementation of laws in each country on intellectual property that are in line with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.

Regarding the guideline of action that WHO will take with respect to the access of drugs and vaccines for the period 2019-2023, Commission A will elaborate a road map that will be submitted to the consideration of the 72nd. World Health Assembly, to be held in 2019.