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International Policy Network cordially invites you to an evening seminar
The impact of intellectual property protection on health care in less developed countries
Sunday 21 May 2006
6.30-8.30 PM
Hotel Intercontinental, Geneva
To be followed by a drinks reception and canapés
You are cordially invited to an evening seminar hosted by International Policy Network (IPN) on the subject of intellectual property, innovation and health. Our expert panellists will provide alternative perspectives on the intellectual property debate that members of the World Health Assembly will consider during its 59th annual meeting (22-27 May).
The discussion will feature experts on intellectual property, diseases of poverty and economics, who will discuss the findings of a recent publication, the Civil Society Report on Intellectual Property, Innovation and Health and the implications of the World Health Organization’s report, Public health, innovation and intellectual property. The discussion will consider the following:
- Does intellectual property restrict access to medicines in developing countries?
- What are the barriers to the distribution of medicines in developing countries?
- Does improving the protection of intellectual property increase or restrict research and development into diseases of poverty?
Speakers will include:
Bibek Debroy, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, India
A native of India, Debroy is secretary general of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India, and is an internationally renowned expert on intellectual property issues. He served as an advisor to the Indian government and was the research director at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies, New Delhi. Debroy is the author of several books and papers on intellectual property issues, including Intellectual Property Rights and Beyond the Uruguay Round: The Indian Perspective on GATT.
Barun Mitra, Liberty Institute, India
Mitra is the founder and director of the Liberty Institute, an Indian think tank, and writes frequently on intellectual property, trade, science and technology. He is editor of several books on these topics, and his opinion columns have been published in international media ranging from The Wall Street Journal (USA), The Sunday Times, South China Morning Post to the Far Eastern Economic Review among others. Mitra is also a frequent contributor to Indian publications such as The Financial Express, The Indian Express, and The Hindustan Times.
Jasson Urbach, Africa Fighting Malaria, South Africa
A native of South Africa, Urbach is an economic researcher for Africa Fighting Malaria, an NGO which raises the profile of malaria prevention methods. He has published a number of opinion articles and research papers on taxes and tariffs and access to medicines. He received his Masters in Economics from the University of Natal in Durban, South Africa, where he also received his Bachelors of Commerce.
Philip Stevens, International Policy Network, United Kingdom
Director of IPN’s health programme, Stevens is the author of numerous health policy publications, including Free trade for better health, The real determinants of health and The 10/90 Gap and the diseases of poverty. His writings on health policy have appeared in a wide range of international newspapers. Stevens was also a lead author of the Civil Society Report on Intellectual Property, Innovation and Health.
Julian Morris, Executive Director of International Policy Network, will moderate the panel.
RSVP ESSENTIAL
TO ATTEND THE DISCUSSION, E-MAIL Stephanie@policynetwork.net or call +44 207 836 0750.
International Policy Network (www.policynetwork.net) is a London-based charity and think tank which promotes markets and their underlying institutions in the context of global policy debates.
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